The play "Romeo and Juliet" was believed to be written around the time of 1595 although there is no definite date, this is thought because of the similarities between Romeo and Juliet and other plays believed to be written around that time also.

The scenes prior to the key scene are just the beginning of the story with the introduction to the main characters and the feuds between both families. At the start Romeo is supposedly madly in love with a female known as Rosaline, until his and his friends decide to gate crash a party at the Capulet’s estate. At this party Romeo is spotted by one of his arch enemies Tybalt who points him out to Lord Capulet, who reasonably lets the matter go because he doesn’t want any trouble at his party. By this time Romeo has discovered Lord Capulets daughter known as Juliet. The two disappear behind a large curtain for a few minutes and come back out again, Romeo returning back to his friend Mercutio and Juliet socialising with her family and friends. During the party Lord Capulet introduces Juliet to Paris who is interested in Juliet’s hand in marriage. That night Romeo breaks into Juliets estate and comes to visit her. They decide to meet up in the near future to marry!

Prior to the key scene Juliet seems very obedient, well behaved and didn’t seem to have a very exciting life style.

In the key scene I would want Juliet to be very aggressive but not upset so that she can also use irony infront of the stage audience to create tension. Earlier in act 1 when she discussed Paris with her mother she was open and quite excited at the thought of marriage to him. When her mother mentions marriage again I would want Juliet to be very hintfull to the fact that she is already, but also to be outraged to the fact that her parents are mapping out her life for her. I would want the stage to be completely blacked out except for the two parents and Juliet this is to give the impression that nothing else matters apart from this argument. Juliet has become very opinionated after marrying Romeo which is quite rare in those days for children to be towards there parents and usually gave the family the feeling of shame upon them.

Conclusion:

I think the change in Juliet has changed her for the better as it has taught her to not only have her opinions but also to voice them, this is important in life, but too many opinions could lead you into trouble.

At the end of this play I want the audience to feel the following ways about the following characters:

• Juliet should be thought of as a brave young love struck teenager who loves nothing else but Romeo in the world, who follows her own way and nobody else’s
• Romeo should be thought of as a very loving and loyal friend to Mercutio but also as a great lover to Juliet.
• Lord and Lady Capulet should be thought of as the prime example of parents of rich wealthy families in those days, with high moral standards and disagreement with them could result in bad consequences.