The saga of Romeo and Juliet is about “a pair of star-cross’d lovers” who fought for their love but did not succeed. This consequently results in their “untimely death”. Their families are both long time rivals, this is the sole reason why it was difficult for them to be with each other.
This play features the death of Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend, by Tybalt, which in turn results in the death of Juliet’s cousin, Tybalt. The story contains a lot of consequences throughout the play. This includes the deaths of Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, and Mercutio. An example would be when Juliet took the “distilling liquor”, which was the consequent of the banishment of Romeo and the death of Romeo resulted in the death of Juliet.
Shakespeare had decided to set the play in Italy Verona because at that time the Italians were known to be hot-headed by the Elizabethans, it was even said in the play by Benvolio, “the day is hot, the capels are abroad, and if we meet we shall not scape a brawl, for now, these hot days, is the mad blood stirring”, so this made a good setting for the play.
Shakespeare made the Montague and Capulet families rich because in those days they were expected to give banquets if they were rich, so in this case, Shakespeare made the families rich so that Romeo and Juliet would have a place to meet and continue the story. The reason the banquet was a masked ball was because they were very popular during the Elizabethan times and this also contributed to find out the identities of Romeo and Juliet.
Love, fate, revenge, hate, faith and time are the main themes of the play. It is very important that you all should know these because without these themes there wouldn’t be a play to act. These themes should also affect the way you play your characters.
Act 1 scene 5 starts of with the preparations of Lord Capulet’s party. This gives the impression that everything is hectic and everything needs to be perfect. From here the scene opens in the main party hall with all the key characters of this scene. This part is very important because it is where Romeo and Juliet first set eyes on each other. It is also where Tybalt realizes Romeo is attending the party. It also shows when Romeo and Juliet realize that they are both apart of the families that are long time rivals.
Now this brings me to you Sean, to play the role of Lord Capulet brilliantly in this scene, I need you to act in a calm, happy, humorous and uplifting way at first as Capulet welcomes the guests and reminisces with them. It’s vital that this part is played with no links to anger or hate at that moment because Capulet is too excited about the banquet to be irate and that time is passing quickly.
When Romeo speaks and Tybalt recognises the voice of the young Montague, this is where I want you to be a little concerned, in the play Capulet says “content thee, gentle coz, let him alone, A bears him like a portly gentlemen” to try and prevent commotion because of the Prince’s threat earlier given to both Montague and Capulet. Capulet at this point does not want his banquet to be ruined. Sean you need to eventually build up anger towards Capulet’s nephew, Tybalt when he refuses to listen to him and insists on fighting Romeo and says, “I’ll not endure him”. This part shows the battle between age vs. youth. Tybalt is the young, hotheaded guy who wants to begin a fight and Capulet’s banquet, you have to show that you are mature and will not tolerate the disobedience by Tybalt by telling him to leave the party.
The character of Tybalt is going to be played by you Chris. I know what you’re capable and that’s why I chose you to play this part. To play your part at your finest, you need to play this character with hatred for the Montagues, in particular Romeo, and to have aggression. Tybalt’s character is like he needs to keep the feud between Capulets and Montagues going, he has to fight, there has to be violence when he’s around or he can’t survive. Violence, hatred and aggression are like Tybalt’s air. Tybalt is self-centred, it is significant that this is remembered in order to play this role uniquely.
At the banquet, when you recognise Romeo’s voice, I want you to build up anger automatically. “Fetch me my rapier boy”, this is said with instant anger by Tybalt.
When Tybalt is stopped by Lord Capulet from preventing commotion at the party, Chris I need you to build uncontrollable rage towards Tybalt’s uncle, “It fits when such a villain is a guest: I’ll not endure him.” This was a great insult in those times. When it comes to the part where Capulet tells Tybalt “go to, go to” which means leave the party, I need you to walk out enraged, but at the same time to give out signs that although Tybalt has left, nothing has ended and things are going to get worse. “I will withdraw, but this intrusion shall, now seeming sweet, convert to bitt’rest gall”.
Now Jason, you play one out of the two most important people in the saga, Romeo. To play your part wonderfully you need to be filled with passion. When you make your first appearance in the scene, this is going to be when you first set eyes on Juliet. I want you to act like you’re totally taken by her beauty and forget everything around you, including Rosaline. When you stand there watching Juliet and describing her, the way you say your lines has to have a flow to it and show by the tone of your voice that this love at first sight when you say, “did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight!
When Romeo talks to Juliet, their conversation is very formal, you need to make it clear straight away that you are interested in her even though she’ not quite interested in you at that moment. When it comes to the part where you both kiss, you have to be filled with passion and love.
After you discover that Juliet is a Capulet, you need to feel shocked and a little disappointed by the fact that she is your family’s enemy. Although you are aware of whom she is, you need to show that that doesn’t matter and you’re still interested in Juliet and are eager to find out more.
At this point we come to the character Juliet, which will be played by you Trish. Your character is well brought up and is the type that always obeys her parents without question, you can tell by when she says “if that thy bent of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage”. This shows that she is faithful and wants Romeo to be as well.
When you’re first going to be approached by Jason, I want you be interested in what he has got to say but not to make so obvious at first. As Romeo speaks to you, I need you to gradually begin getting more interested and attracted to him.
When Romeo is talking to you, it is said in a form of a sonnet, this was recognised by the Elizabethans as a form of love poetry. There is a lot of religious imagery in your conversation, which shows that both of your love for each other is pure, “this holy shrine, the gentle sin is this, my lips, two blushing pilgrims”. Then he talks to you about kissing you. Try to act like you want be kissed but since you’re not able to take the first move, the tone of your voice should imply that you want be kissed by Romeo and for him to take the first step! Once you are actually kissed, you make the excuse that you took Romeo’s sins so that you will be kissed again, this has to show that you have fallen for his love and especially when you say “you kiss by th’book”.
When you discover that Romeo is a Montague, both your reactions are similar. You’re disappointed but it’s too late because you have fallen for him. You have to show that you want to see him again by saying "my only love sprung from my only hate! Too early seen unknown, and known too late! Prodigious birth of love it is to me, that I must love a loathed enemy.”
This scene is an extremely important scene throughout the play because it is where Romeo and Juliet see each other and fall in love for the first time. It also has Tybalt’s part in the scene about him realizing Romeo is attending the party, without Tybalt’s part in the scene; it would cut a strong majority of the play out and would make the play less interesting. Also if Romeo and Juliet hadn’t met in this scene, there would be no play to act. So it is important that all four of you play your roles with pride and confidence.
Thank you for listening and I hope that what I have said will help you play your roles well.
