Benvolio tries to get Mercutio away from the brawl but fails and then the Capulet’s enter. Tybalt begins to aggravate Mercutio. Benvolio pleads him or leave as people are watching, Mercutio answers: “Men’s eyes are made to look and let them gaze.” Mercutio is saying that he doesn’t care if people are looking they have eyes to see so let them look. Shakespeare has added extra pressure as Mercutio says it as if he doesn’t care which adds pressure on the Capulets as it makes them seem weak and not in control. For this scene Mercutio and Benvolio should centre stage with a crowd around them. Tybalt should stand at the side of the stage with the other Capulet’s smirking.
Romeo enters and is beaten by Tyblat but refuses to fught back, Romeo says: “I do protest I never injured thee, but love the better than tou canst devise”. Shakespeare has made Romeo not fight back so the characters are emphasised. The fact Romeo isn’t fighting back makes him seem very weak and afraid but it also makes Tybalt look like a true villain like a bully in a playground. I think Romeo should be kneeling on the floor side wards to the audience with Tybalt towering over him to use the idea of levels.
Mercutio watches Romeo being beaten and says to himself: “O Calm, dishonourable, vile submission”. Mercutio is angry that Romeo isn’t fighting back even though Tybalt is causing him so much pain. Shakespeare has made Mercutio say it on his own to add emphasis on how he is feeling and on what is happening to Romeo. It shows that Mercutio is watching is anger and disgust of Romeo’s pathetic presense. In my opinion, this part the lights should dim and a yellow light could shine above Mercutio to show his disgust and then to red to show his anger.
Mercutio tries to help Romeo but in doing this is fataly stabbed as he stumbles along in agony, he says these last few words: “A plague on both your houses”. Mercutio is saying a curse on both your families as it’s the conflict between the two families that have caused his death. Shakespeare has made his repeat it many times so the line stands out and so Mercutio’s death is remembered. For this scene Mercutio should have a spotlight on him and look across the the crowd standing around him with his voice getting louder the more times he says it. In addition, sad music should be on quietly in the background.
Romeo tries to help Mercutio and tells him that he can’t be hurt that much Mercutio answers: “No, tis not so deep as a well, nor so wide as a church-door, but ‘tis enough… ask for me tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man.” Mercutio is saying it not as deep as a well or as wide as a church door but is still enough to kill him. I think for this Romeo should stand next to trying to help and Mercutio should pull away and look around at the peoplee when he says that tomorrow he shall need a grave.
After Mercutios death Romeo is full of anger and sorrow he knows he must get revenge. “O sweet Juliet, Thy beauty hath made me effeminate, And in my temper softened valour’s steel”.
Romeo is saying that Juliet’s influence had made him soft therefore unable to fight but his temper has now made him the opposite. Shakespeare has showed how Juliet has affected Romeo but is letting the audience know that they are soon to see the over side of Romeo which will be good contrast with him before. I think for this part a pink light should shine on Romeo which then turns to red showing his temper and the rest of the stage should be blacked out. After this Romeo stabs Tybalt in this murdering him and the exit’s the scene. Then Prince enters questioning on who is to blame, he says: “Where are the vile beginners of this fray”?
The Capulet Family walk in distraut about Tybalts death and plead with Prince. Lady Capulet says: “I beg for justice, which thou, Prince must give. Romeo slew Tybalt, Romeo must not live”. Lady Capulet begs for Romeo to be killed for he murdered Tybalt. Shakespeare also wrote poems as well as plays as he has used here to add effect “give” and “live” so the line sound better. In my opinion, Lady Capulet should pull on the Prince’s arm so he’s facing her and say it so it looks like she’s not asking she’s telling him. Prince comes to a decision that Romeo must be exiled from Verona. He says:“Let Romeo hence in haste, Else, when he’s found, that hour is his last”
What Prince is saying is that Romeo must leave fast or if he is found he shall be killed. It is important that in this speech we notice the sevienace of his punishment and how it will affect Romeo and his love for Juliet. It makes their love which was once just forbidden now almost impossible as it will cause Romeo to be killed. Shakespeare has made sure Romeo doesn’t just get a slap on the wrist as it keeps the audience engaged and guessing. It is impossible to predict what will happen in the next few scenes. Also notice in Princes speech that it is Rhyming. This is to add effect and make it stand out from the rest of the piece. I feel for this line Prince should stand with a crowd around him and as he tells his speech look upon the crowd as if to make sure they’re all listing and understanding.
In conclusion, you can clearly see how my directions for the play would differ to the original performance may it be by lighting, actors and actresses tone of voice, volume or positioning. As you can see Act three Scene one is full of action and tragedy. Deaths of some very important characters and brilliant use of language by Shakespeare. My stage directions would emphasis the core themes of the play.
