Luhrmann Version
It starts off with the Nurse rushing into Juliet’s bedroom to tell Juliet her mother is coming. We can hear Lady Capulet in the background calling from the corridor saying, “Ho daughter! Are you up” Her voice is pleasant and happy. Just as Romeo leaves Lady Capulet comes in. She calls Juliet. Juliet is saying goodbye to Romeo on the balcony. As Lady Capulet comes out onto the balcony, Romeo falls in the pool. Lady Capulet telling Juliet to stop crying and saying she will have Romeo killed have both been omitted. Lady Capulet is arranging the curtains while speaking to Juliet. There isn’t any double meaning. She looks proud and delighted. Juliet is looking at her with tears in her eyes. Lady Capulet holds Juliet by the waist and takes her to sit down on the bed. Luhrmann skips some lines and carries on from Lady Capulet saying, “Thou has a careful father, child; one who, to put thee from thy heaviness, hath sorted out a sudden day of joy.” Juliet looks slightly confused. She has no idea her parents are planning her wedding so soon. Juliet asks her mother, “What day is that?” Lady Capulet tells she’s going to get married to Paris. This is when Juliet throws her tantrum. She shouts furiously, “Now by Saint Peters Church and Peter too, he shall not make me a joyful bride!”
Lady Capulet sees her husband coming and says hurriedly, “Here comes your father; tell him so yourself.” Lord Capulet comes and asks his wife if she told Juliet their decision. Lady Capulet replies, “Aye, sir; but she will none, she gives you thanks. I would the fool were married to her grave!” Her mood totally changes. She becomes spiteful, impatient and sarcastic. Lord Capulet’s temper goes out of hand. He pushes Juliet down on the floor. At this point there is a lot of shouting going on by Lord Capulet and Juliet. Lady Capulet comes into the picture. She grabs Lord Capulet’s arm and tries to stop him doing anymore. She says, “Fie, Fie! What are you mad?”
Lady Capulet is at Juliet’s bedroom door after her husband has gone. Juliet is sitting on the floor close to the banisters watching her father go crazy downstairs. Juliet asks her mother not to cast her away and delay the marriage for at least a week. Her mother looks at her and says, “Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word. Do as thou wilt for I have done with thee.” She says these words harsh and bitterly. She says the words slowly and looks like she has been physically abused. She looks like a drunken alcoholic as she starts to walk down the corridor.
Lord Capulet
My version
If I directed Act 3 scene 5, Lord Capulet would make his way up to Juliet’s bedroom after talking to Paris. He will see Juliet weeping on the bed. At this point he is proud and contented. He seems like a caring father when he asks, “What, still in tears?” He feels sympathetic towards Juliet as he believes it to be Juliet’s grief over Tybalt’s death. He’ll meet Lady Capulet and ask her, “Have you delivered to her our decree.” Lady Capulet would tell Lord Capulet the bad news with sarcasm and disappointment. The audience will be worried about how he will take the news of Juliet’s refusal. Lord Capulet would look at Lady Capulet with confusion saying, “Take me with you, take me with you, wife.” As he says, “How will she none?” He is standing looking directly at Juliet with disbelief and shock. Juliet looks back at him frightened to death. He then says, “Doth she not give us thanks? Is she not proud?” He is still calm trying to understand the situation. He tries to make Juliet guilty by questioning whether she appreciates them even though he’s unsure he has understood properly.
The audience will see his mood rapidly change from happy to furious and hot blooded. From lines 141-145 the volume of his voice will change from low to high. The actor playing Capulet would talk sternly to convey his power. In the Elizabethan time fathers had a lot more power and control over their daughters and families. When the daughters got married the ownership would be passed on to their husbands. This means Romeo was now in charge of Juliet, only Lord Capulet didn’t know it.
Lord Capulet would never have expected this from Juliet. He feels betrayed and hurt. His only concern was to have Juliet suitably married. He can’t see the full picture and has no idea why Juliet would say no to marry someone so noble. Lord Capulet insults Juliet calling her “baggage” and “green-sickness carrion.” His insults are so ruthless and unnecessary that Lady Capulet jumps in and says, “What are you mad?” Capulet threatens to disown Juliet when he says “Get thee to church o’Thursday, or never look me in the face.” He gets so angry he feels like attacking Juliet. When he says, “My fingers itch”, Capulet will be holding Juliet against the wall with one hand and the other trembling to hit her. In my version Capulet doesn’t actually hit Juliet but comes extremely close to. This will build up the dramatic tension between father and daughter. The audience would be so caught up with the play that they would fear for Juliet’s safety.
Capulet mimics Juliet, “I’ll not wed, I can not love, I am too young, I pray you pardon me.” The audience knows these are not the real reasons why Juliet refuses to marry Paris. He gives her an ultimatum telling her if she does not marry Paris, he will no longer acknowledge her.
Zeffirelli Version
Lord Capulet asks Lady Capulet, “Have you delivered to her our decree?” He says these words quiet cheerful with a smile on his face. At this point he looks like a proud man. Lady Capulet in reply tells him she has but Juliet will not agree. Lord Capulet looks at Lady Capulet with confusion. He doesn’t understand. Capulet literally stands for a few seconds with his mouth open. He is really shocked. Lord Capulet then says to his wife, “Take me with you, take me with you, wife.” He says these words calmly still puzzled. Capulet walks right up to Lady Capulet saying, “How, will she none? (Perplexed) Doth she not give thanks?”(Quite fast) When he says, “Doth she not count her bless’d”, he is marching up the stairs to Juliet’s bedroom. His uncertainty has turned into anger within a few lines. Capulet’s temper is rising higher and higher. He bursts through the corridor shouting, “ungrateful baggage”. He staggers into Juliet’s bedroom, pulls across her bed curtains and points to her in the telling off way saying, “I tell thee what, get thee to church o’Thursday, or never after look me in the face.” He pulls her off the bed and swings her across the room. The nurse stands in front of her, protecting her from Capulet. She anchors herself to the cupboard so she can not be pushed. Lord Capulet tries to pull the Nurse away but she does not budge. He squeals, “Peace you mumbling fool.” Pointing to Juliet once again, Capulet orders, “Thursday is near. Lay hand on heart, advise, and be not, hang, beg, starve, die in the streets.” Within this sentence his voice goes from sort of calm to really aggressive. Juliet is still on the floor, behind the nurse, clutching on to her dress. Lord Capulet’s last words are “I’ll not be forsworn.” He exits.
Luhrmann version
Lord Capulet’s part starts after Lady Capulet has told Juliet their decision to marry her with Paris. Juliet refuses. In this version his soft side is not shown. His speech before Lady Capulet tells Capulet the news is omitted. Capulet comes into Juliet’s bedroom, delighted, cheerful and proud. He asks Lady Capulet,”Have you deliver’d her out decree?” Lady Capulet tells him sarcastically that she won’t accept. When he finds out Juliet refuses to marry his mood totally changes. His facial expression is moody, angry and outraged. Luhrmanns version of Romeo and Juliet has a Lord Capulet that switches to anger almost instantly. Capulet’s strong language shows his superiority over Juliet. We don’t see the confusion stage on his face. From lines 141-145 his tone goes from normal to high. His temper goes so high that he gets hold of Juliet and chucks her on the floor. He carries on trying to attack Juliet saying, “Speak not, reply not, do not answer me.” He is chasing Juliet ready to give her another bash. Lady Capulet doesn’t want her daughter to be killed and says, “Fie, fie! What are you mad?”, and grabs hold of her husbands arm. Capulet pushes her and carries on after Juliet. He doesn’t let anyone get in his way. The nurse is the next to defend Juliet. She tells Capulet, he is to blame. He doesn’t listen to a word she says and pushes her down. Still very hot tempered, Lord Capulet orders Juliet to “Get thee to church o’Thursday, or never after look me in the face.” He is willing to disown her. Capulet pushes her down for the last time.
Nurse
My Version
The Nurse has a lot of affection for Juliet. She plays more of a mother figure to Juliet than her natural mother does, Lady Capulet. The Nurse has nursed her all her life. The Nurse has been within the Capulet household for at least fourteen years, the entirety of Juliet’s life. As Juliet grows up, she still plays an important role in her life. The Nurse was actually Juliet’s wet nurse, and it is proven that a bond between a baby and one who feeds it is very strong. The Nurse had a daughter of her own, Susan. She was born on the exact same day as Juliet; she unfortunately died leaving the nurse very distraught. When she got the job of looking after Juliet she was at last contented. Juliet was like her own daughter; she took the place of Susan. This shows that the nurse is quite an affectionate character. She continuously looks out for Juliet. It also shows that the nurse is quite caring; taking on the job of a full time nurse is hard. However, she shows love continuously. Although the Nurse is Juliet’s servant, the attitude of that is hidden. The relationship between the pair is so close that the idea of the Nurse being Juliet’s servant is hidden.
In act 3 scene 5 the Nurse goes to Juliet’s room. She warns the pair of Lady Capulet coming. This shows that the Nurse cares for Juliet. If it wasn’t for her, Lady Capulet would probably find Romeo and Juliet together and the ending of play would be different.
It starts off with the Nurse rushing over to Juliet’s. She has just heard that Lady Capulet will be coming to Juliet’s bedroom. She knocks on Juliet’s door and whispers, “Your lady mother is coming to your chamber.”
Juliet’s mother enters the room. When Lord Capulet enters towards the end of the scene he causes an argument to brake out. Juliet’s father swears at the Nurse. He also curses Juliet calling her a “Disobedient wretch.”
The two of them are shocked by this outrage. The Nurse stands up for herself, whereas Juliet whimpers in the corner, hiding behind the Nurse. This is brave of the Nurse as she is only a servant and could be risking her job.
Juliet has been dumped by both her parents since she has refused to marry Paris. The Nurse is her last resort. Juliet wants comfort from the Nurse. The Nurse, however, has no comfort to offer Juliet. She thinks of the grief and shock of the events of the previous day. She thinks of only the most practical way of getting out of all their difficulties. The Nurse suggests that Juliet should forget about Romeo and marry Paris. She knows running away with Romeo could result in even more trouble. When the Nurse advises Juliet to forget about Romeo and Marry Paris she motivates Juliet to acting and she seeks help elsewhere. She loses Juliet’s confidence and trust. Juliet decides to seek the help of Friar Laurence; there after she no longer involves the Nurse in her secret Plans.
That is the last scene in which we see the Nurse. Throughout the play, she appears, however when she loses Juliet’s trust, she is lost from the play.
Zeffirelli version
The scene starts off after Romeo and Juliet have spent the night together. The nurse knocks on the door and says, “Madam? Your lady mother is coming to your chamber.” She speaks these words whispering quite fast. Juliet opens the door and the nurse tells her the rest whispering even quieter.
The next time the nurse is seen is when Lady Capulet is talking to Juliet. She looks nervous with her hands touching her mouth. She knows there is trouble ahead. When Lady Capulet says, “Shall give him such an unaccustom’d dram,” the Nurse covers her hand completely over her mouth with shock.
When Lord Capulet comes after Juliet after he just hit her, the Nurse stands in front to protect her. She is much more of a mother to Juliet than Lady Capulet is. The Nurse anchors herself to the cupboard making sure Juliet doesn’t get hurt. It is quite brave of her to do this as she is risking her job and everything she has.
Luhrmann version
The Nurse sees Lady Capulet coming up to Juliet’s bedroom. She rushes as quickly as possible to tell Juliet. Juliet has just spent the night with Romeo. The Nurse opens the door and says, “Madam”, kinder shocked. She closes the door, whispering quickly, “Your lady mother is coming to your chamber.” At this point we can hear Lady Capulet calling Juliet. Romeo rushes to put his trousers on then goes outside on the balcony. Juliet says goodbye to him and he escapes by jumping in the pool.
While Lady Capulet is talking to Juliet the Nurse is making the bed. The Nurse looks at them worriedly hoping that everything works out. She’s the only one that knows Juliet’s secret.
We next see the Nurse in the scene where Lord Capulet finds out that Juliet refuses to marry Paris. She watches Capulet attack Juliet. She wants to defend her but knows it’s not her position to. After a while she realizes Capulet has gone too far insulting Juliet. She feels it’s her duty to protect Juliet. She tells Lord Capulet, “You are to blame my lord to rate her so.” She says it with courage. He pushes her away.
After both parents are gone the Nurse tries to comfort Juliet. She takes her into the bathroom. Juliet seeks her advice. The Nurse tells her, “I think it be best for you to marry with this Paris.” She knows if Juliet doesn’t there is a lot more trouble to come. The Nurse tries to cheer Juliet up by telling her she will be happy in the second match. She attempts to make Juliet realize she must forget about Romeo. Juliet is still feels tormented. The Nurse goes to the bath tub to brush her teeth. The bath water is a symbol for wash away troubles and sins. Juliet asks, “Speak’st thou from thy heart?” The Nurse replies, “And from my soul too”, this means she deeply thinks this is the right thing to do. Juliet murmurs, “Amen.” The Nurse doesn’t hear this. Juliet is cursing her. This marks the end of their relationship. Juliet tells the Nurse to inform her mother that she is sorry having displeased her father and will be going to confession.
Juliet
My version
This scene is set on a Tuesday and Romeo and Juliet met on the previous Sunday. The scene starts after Romeo and Juliet have spent the night together. Romeo and Juliet argue about the time of the day. The bird song they hear come from the lark. It is the first bird to sing in the morning. Romeo gets ready to leave when Juliet ask him to stay. The Nurse arrives and whispers to Juliet, “Your mother is coming to your chamber.” Juliet then has no choice but to say goodbye to Romeo.
Lady Capulet arrives in Juliet’s bedroom. Juliet is crying on the bed. She is sad that Romeo has gone. Her mother mistakes it for tears of Tybalt’s death. Lady gives her advice and tells her it’s pointless crying so much when you can’t bring the person back to life. Juliet says she wishes no one but she would avenge her cousin's death. They carry on talking about their grief over Tybalt’s death.
Lady Capulet tells Juliet of her father’s plans to make her feel better, to have her marry Paris on Thursday. Juliet gets a shock and totally refuses to marry Paris.
Lord Capulet enters and asks his wife if she’s told Juliet. Lady Capulet tells Capulet that Juliet has refused to marry Paris. Capulet is enraged and threatens to throw Juliet out of the house. Juliet is in tears. She is frightened of Capulet and is upset that her parents won’t accept the fact that she’s refused. She says lines 146-148 timidly. She has seen how he has reacted to the news and doesn’t want him to get even madder. When Capulet says, “My fingers itch” he has pinned her to the wall.
Juliet squeals and covers her eyes. Capulet doesn’t actually hit her but Juliet carries on trembling.
She asks the Nurse for comfort and advice. Even the Nurse agrees with her parents. Juliet no longer trusts the Nurse. Friar Laurence is her last hope.
Zeffirelli version
Juliet and Romeo wake up after their first night together. She asks Romeo not to go. Juliet follows outside to the balcony. She asks if they will ever meet again. He kisses her then descends down. Juliet looks sadly down at him and begins to weep.
Lady Capulet arrives at her bedroom. Juliet continues to cry loudly on her bed. It is only when her mother explains that they have sorted out a sudden day of joy that Juliet brings her head up. She wipes her tears and says, “And joy comes well in such a needy time.” Lady Capulet tells her she is going to get married. Juliet looks at her with shock and grabs a cushion. She screams, “Now by Saint Peters church, and Peter too, he shall not make me a joyful bride!” Lady Capulet makes her way to tell her husband the news.
Capulet marches into Juliet’s bedroom, draws her bed curtains, points at her and calls her a “disobedient wrench.” Juliet looks at him scared with fear. She’s grabbing onto a cushion and trying to keep as far as possible. She begs him to not make her marry Paris. Capulet will not have it. He grabs her and tosses her across the room. Juliet screams. The Nurse stands in front of Juliet to protect her. We can hear Juliet weeping aloud. She holds onto the Nurse’s dress while her father gives her one last chance to marry Paris. Lord Capulet leaves. Lady Capulet is about to leave too when Juliet runs up to her, kneels down holding her mother’s dress. Juliet begs, “O sweet my mother, cast me not away!” Juliet asks her to delay the marriage for at least a week. She is holding on to Lady Capulet’s hand begging for forgiveness. Her mother feels guilty but sticks by her husband and refuses.
Juliet runs up to the Nurse for comfort and advice. It is her last resort. The Nurse holds Juliet’s head near her chest and strokes it. She tells her she should get married to Paris. This is when Juliet’s relationship with the Nurse changes. She slowly looks up at the Nurse and gives the look of betrayal. She always thought the Nurse would stick by her. Juliet slowly moves away. The Nurse carries on talking, trying to convince Juliet to marry Paris. Juliet stays quiet with shock written all over her face. Her eyes are wide open. Meanwhile the Nurse is making the bed. Juliet can’t believe what the Nurse is saying. Juliet replies, “Amen.” In this version the Nurse hears it. She realizes Juliet is angry with her. After this Juliet treats her like a servant. Juliet moves away from the Nurse when she tries to comfort her. They look at each other and the Nurse leaves. This marks the end of their relationship.
Luhrmann Version
Juliet wakes up after her first night with Romeo. Romeo has a flashback of killing Tybalt. Juliet is happy and peaceful. She mock argues with Romeo about the time of the day. The Nurse comes in telling her, “Your mother is coming.” She rushes Romeo out of the room onto the balcony. Juliet asks if they’ll ever meet again. They kiss. Romeo jumps into the pool. She has a vision of him dead in the bottom of the tomb. She goes inside.
Her mother is in the room looking joyful while she is feeling sad and tearful. Lady Capulet tells her she has sorted out a sudden day of joy. Juliet is a bit confused. When her mum tells her is going to get married she panics and shouts; “Now by Saint Peter’s church, and Peter too, he shall not make me a joyful bride.”
Straight after her dad comes along and asks his wife if she’s told Juliet their decision. Lady Capulet replies, “Aye, but she will none.” Juliet looks at her father dreading and fearing the consequences. Lord Capulet gets furious. Juliet explains she is thankful for what he has done. She speaks the first line calmly and second line screaming, “Proud can I never be of what I hate.” This is when the dramatic tension is at its highest point. Lord Capulet temper rises even more and the fact that Juliet is answering back. He grabs hold of her and throws her on the floor while Juliet screams, “No!” She comes after him screaming and shouting. He orders her to come to Church on Thursday or never look him in the face. He pushes her on the floor for the second time.
She watches her father go crazy downstairs. Her mother is till at her bedroom door. Juliet gives it one last shot. Begging her mother in tears, “O sweet my mother, cast me not away” She asks to delay the marriage for at least a week. Lady Capulet looks at her with disgust saying, “Talk not to me, for I’ll not speak a word.” She walks off down the corridor.
The only person left is the Nurse. Juliet seeks comfort and advice from her. The nurse takes her into the bathroom. She tells Juliet it is best to marry Paris. Juliet sits down while the nurse kneels down to brush her teeth in the bath tub. Juliet is facing the wall looking a bit like she in a trance. Juliet asks, “Speak’st thou from thy heart.” The Nurse replies, “And from my soul too.” Juliet quietly says amen, the nurse doesn’t hear. We don’t see Juliet’s anger towards the Nurse as the scene is omitted.