Romeo & Juliet Oral Essay

Directing:

For Act 1 Scene 5, at the Capulet dance, I would have first of all Capulet at the front of the stage to the left, facing the audience, with a happy expression and welcoming the guests that are coming in. They will be different crowds of people having quiet conversations. The music will be happy and upbeat Elizabethan music, as people dance around, Capulet is still on the left side of the stage and Romeo is seen on the opposite side to Capulet, as Capulet starts to circulate and move between crowds, the focus is set more on Romeo, as he talks to friends, and notices Juliet, the music turns a little quieter and more softer and romantic, this turns the attention to when Romeo see’s Juliet for the first time, and Juliet notices Romeo.

As they speak, the attention is still focused on them, until we notice Tybalt, who will make his way from in a crowd talking, to the front of the stage near where Romeo and Juliet are. I can show Tybalt is angry at the thought of a Montague at a Capulet party, by his gestures and expression, as I would have Tybalt moving quickly around the room, as the music turns back to happy and upbeat as everyone else is enjoying the party, but I would have it a little quieter to focus on Tybalt as he searches for Capulet. When he finds Capulet, he needs to get his attention, I would have Tybalt barging through the crowd of people and interrupting Capulets conversation, but as Capulets mood is happy he doesn’t want anything to spoil that. Tybalt and Capulet move to centre front of the stage to talk, and Capulet tells him to let it go, Capulet should be trying to calm Tybalt down, but he is angry and storms off to the other side of the stage, where Capulet laughs and joins back with the party. From the other side of the stage, Romeo should move forward, so we can see Tybalt look back at Romeo clearly, to show he holds a grudge.

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For Act 3 Scene 1, it starts off more of a relaxed atmosphere, as Mercutio and Benvolio are just joking and messing around, I would have them walking across the stage, just strolling along and hitting and laughing with each other using playful gestures. Though, when the see Tybalt and his friends from a distance, I would have Benvolio and Mercutio notice them before the audience, from offstage, and they should gesture to one another or nudge each other, then when Tybalt comes on stage, I would have Benvolio backing back a little and Mercutio standing tall in front of him, as Benvolio is cautious and aware the confrontation is afoot, and Mercutio is ready to fight if he has too. This creates a tense atmosphere, and as Mercutio and Tybalt taunt each other they should come up close face to face, while the others stand back. I think Tybalt is an arrogant type, and to get this across, I think Tybalt should keep turning his head and laughing to his friends at Mercutio. While Romeo comes on stage, he will of noticed the fight from offstage, therefore coming on quickly and swiftly, to try and break it up, and as Romeo try’s to reason with Tybalt, Tybalt should step back from Romeo, not as though he is backing down, but as he is confused with what he is saying, as Tybalt is unaware of the marriage, and Romeo is acting as though they are now cousins. As Tybalt takes this sarcastically, he starts to argue, with Romeo still trying to calm things down. When Mercutio steps up, and swords are drawn, it is a very dramatic moment, Benvolio and Tybalts friends should be stood opposite on another a step back from Mercutio and Tybalt, while Romeo jumps in Mercutio is hit. This is very dramatic, and as Mercutio falls, Romeo looks up at Tybalt, who looks away at his friends.

As Mercutio is moved away with Benvolio to the other side of the stage, Romeo follows soon after where it is confirmed that Mercutio is dead. Romeo will walk away as he is upset of his friends death, with a sad yet angry expression on his face. As Tybalt comes over, Romeo should just keep staring at Tybalt while he walks over too him. As Romeo vows revenge, Tybalt and him fight, where Romeo hits Tybalt and he falls this is very dramatic, so I think the lights should be dimmed when he is dead. Then Romeo exits.

Language:

First of all, throughout the play, language is used to have an effect on the audience, in many different ways, as when Romeo and Juliet first meet, the language is very romantic and the audience can feel the tension and nervousness between them.

It is also used to build up a tense atmosphere, as pathetic fallacy is used in act 3 scene 1. “ For now, these hot days, mad blood is stirring”. Mixing heat and tension together makes us think that violence is coming and points to a confrontation of fight.

In Juliet’s soliloquy, her language has an effect on the audience as it could have multiple interpretations, as she talks about death even though she is unaware of the murders beforehand, and then she talks about her love and longing for Romeo.

She uses Greek Mythology in her soliloquy to talk about death and fate, yet she doesn’t know yet that Romeo has murdered Tybalt. Her language has an effect on the atmosphere, as it feels dark and gloomy what she is talking about, though she goes to talk about her love for her husband and longing for the night to come, and then talks about her own death. Juliet’s words show us her true feelings, and when she finds out about Romeo murdering Tybalt, she takes Romeo’s side, thought her Mother, Lady Capulet, believes she is favouring Tybalt. There is dramatic irony in Juliet’s language, and it shows hints that something is going to happen.

Juliet’s language darkens the atmosphere when she is contemplating the effects of the potion she is about to take to fake her death. As she asks herself questions on the effects it might have, her doubts and fears create a dark and tense atmosphere. She uses metaphors and her words create images of insanity, as she used violent language, for example “ as with a club, dash out my desp’rate brains? O look! Methinks I see my cousins ghost.” This is dramatic for the audience as they see Juliet having doubts, and wonder if she will drink it. But then she does as she drinks to Romeo.

Dramatic Devices:

There are a lot of dramatic devices used to have an effect on the audience, and to twist the plot. As when Tybalt finds a Montague is at a Capulet party, this is dramatic as it lets the audience know Tybalts type of character and shows us that he will hold a grudge, as it sets the scene for later plot twists and dramatic moments.

When Romeo discovers that Juliet is a Capulet – DRAMATIC – Juliet finds he is a Montague but they are in love.

Romeo and Juliet have married at the end of act 2, very quiet subdued scene at marriage, Act 3 Scene 1 is about to change this calm.

Scene:

How is it a dramatic device/turning point?

How tension is built up?

Romeo is banned, kicked out of the city for the murder of Tybalt.

If he returns, he will be killed.

-Dramatic Moment.