In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,
This will be portrayed by showing pictures of a roman-like town, with a sign saying “Verona” There will be contemporary statues and the town will look as traditional as it can be made.
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.
A clip of two sides, red and orange fighting, and people dying will be shown here. There will be glimpses of normal civilians joining the fight, leaving their stalls and daily jobs to have a look and try and stop it.
From forth the fatal loins of these two foes
A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;
There will be a picture of Romeo and Juliet in each other’s arms, dead. Romeo would wear a coat of arms bearing the letter M on his shoulder and Juliet, a ornamental brooch with C embroidered in it. This would portray the lovers from two different sides coming together, so much in love that they have killed themselves at the sight of the other’s death.
Whose misadventured piteous overthrows
Do with their death bury their parents' strife.
There would be a portrayal here of the two heads of households shaking hands, whilst crying. They would be deeply emotional and agree to stop fighting. There would also be a clip of Juliet waking up, seeing Romeo dead in her arms, and then a deep look of grief on her face.
The fearful passage of their death-mark'd love,
And the continuance of their parents' rage,
Which, but their children's end, nought could remove,
Again a clip of fighting would be shown, and also a dencing duel with both heads of households. There would also be an image of Juliet and Romeo running away together in the night, looking to make sure they were not seen.
Is now the two hours' traffic of our stage;
The which if you with patient ears attend,
What here shall miss, our toil shall strive to mend.
During this, there would be a black-out and the voice-over would soften. There would then appear an image of two fencing swords crossing, with Romeo and Juliet written at the bottom. These would then part and the screen would explode into the first Act.
The First Act opens up in the town centre, where two Capulet servants are standing, leaning against the wall. They are wearing red uniforms, and have C written on their shoulders and scabbards.
Their names are Gregory and Sampson. Sampson boasts of being able to take on the Montague servants, “A dog of that house shall move me to stand: I will take the wall of any man or maid of Montague's.” – He means that he would make the Montague walk in the gutter and he would take the place of the wall. When he says this, he must act fierce as if he hates the very word “Montague”.
However, Gregory knows that he is just acting fierce because there are not Montagues around, so in a mock voice he should say as well, “That shows thee a weak slave; for the weakest goes to the wall.” He means that means that you are weak if you need the support of the wall. He must himself, act amused but a brave soldier and very down-to-earth.
Soon, the servants of the Montague household arrive, and Sampson says -
“My naked weapon is out: quarrel, I will back thee.”
He is obviously afraid of taking the weapon out because he does not want to provoke the Montague. Instead he says I will take my weapon out soon, first YOU start a fight. He is afraid to start one himself, and should appear to back down, behind Gregory. Gregory does not trust him; he fears he will run away.
Sampson does however start a fight by biting his thumb. The Montague servants come and ask “Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?”
An argument breaks out; where it is clear that both sides do not want to start a fight. When asked if he quarrels, Abraham (of the Montague household) says no sir!
When the servant’s brawl breaks out, there should be a substantial amount of withdrawal on both side’s part. Both sides hate each other enough to fight, but are afraid to carry the responsibility of starting it.
When the quarrel starts, Benvolio walks in, and shouts in a booming voice, “Part, fools!
Put up your swords; you know not what you do.” He is a figure of authority, and does not want a fight to break out.
Benvolio should be seen as an authoritarian figure, much better in fitness and strength, but also caring and should not show so much hatred for the Capulets.
However, after this, Tybalt walks in, and he provokes further fighting.
Tybalt should be seen as an angry, literally scorching figure with a look of hatred in his eyes. He must remain angry and spit with the words “peace? I hate the word” He must really show his hatred of peace. He says “What, drawn, and talk of peace! I hate the word,
As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee:
Have at thee, coward!”
He shows his true hatred of the Montague household and Benvolio has no choice but to fight. However, this time, the public join in, trying to stop it by fighting themselves. They should shout their hatred of street fighting with “Clubs, bills, and partisans! strike! beat them down!
Down with the Capulets! Down with the Montagues!”
The people are frustrated by all of the fighting of late, so they must look like they just want to join in and let out this frustration rather than wanting to stop the fight.
While this is happening in town, Lord Capulet would look out of his window across the steam into the opposite house, where Montague would be standing at the window flashing his sword. There is a great amount of competitiveness between the two lords. Both will have looks of great loathing on their face, and Capulet will turn away to his wife after that point. He would then ask her to pass him his “long sword” which is an exceptionally long, sharp and thin fencing sword. Of course, his wife, fearing for his life and for love of peace, would stop him and advise him to ignore his foe. Lady Capulet also says “A crutch, A crutch” which shows that Capulet must be too old to go out and fight. This must be portrayed then by Capulet resembling an old man, who can barely stand up. However, he must go to the window and flash his sword back at Montague, because after this, Montague will tell his wife he wants to fight. Lady Montague however is also hesitant in letting Montague fight.
While this quarrel between the Lords and their wives is still happening, the fight continues in the town.
The arrival of the prince will be marked by the firing of a flaming arrow into a nearby tree. This is a sign of the prince coming, so dramatically, the fight will stop and the two side’s part. Trumpets will then play and the Prince will arrive on horseback holding a bow and arrow. When the prince arrives, everyone should bow before him until he tells them to rise. Seeing the Prince, Montague, Capulet and their wives will also come down from the separate households. The prince will then calmly ask Montague, Capulet, Benvolio, and Tybalt to come before him. He will then angrily say his speech before them. Sentences such as “Your lives shall pay the forfeit of the peace” must be said in a whispered tone, for dramatic effect. Once the dialogue is over, the prince will make Montague and Capulet shake hands, although both do it with utmost resentment on their faces. The prince then asks Capulet to go along with him, on horseback. Another tune of trumpets will symbolize the departure of the prince.
When the Prince has left, Montague, Lady Montague and Benvolio will leave to go back to the Montague household. When they are all sitting down, Lady Montague should apply antiseptic herbs to Benvolio’s wounds while he explains what happens. He must sound sincere especially when he is explaining himself. His mention of ‘Fiery Tybalt’ must be with not be said with bitterness, but with disappointment that he couldn’t avoid a fight with him. They have a conversation then about Romeo, about he wakes up very early everyday and avoids everyone. Montague mentions ‘But he, his own affections counselor is to himself’ Meaning He is his own advisor in lve and he keeps his thoughts to himself. This is where Benvolio stands up and decides he must talk to Romeo, who is approaching in the courtyard. Benvolio finally says ‘So please you, step aside; I’ll know his grievance, or be much denied’ with a lot of determination. He then leaves Montague to approach Romeo.
Romeo is not specifically ‘in love’ but is in love with the idea of being ‘in love’. He does not truly love Rosaline, but just wants to have someone in his life. He is in the teenage stage in his life, so for this reason Benvolio, being older, must seem extra careful not to anger Romeo, as teenagers easily do lose their temper. Romeo mentions himself that he is sad – ‘Ay me! Sad hours seem long’ Whilst saying this, Benvolio must genuinely seem concerned.
He does admit being in love – “Out of her favour where I am in love” Romeo is in love, but Rosaline, whom he loves has vowed to a life of Chastity. In this part, Romeo must seem as if he is close to giving up completely, talking in a way which seems like he has tried and tried to get Rosaline, but failed.
When Benvolio and Romeo walk out towards the market centre where the fight was, Romeo is talking of where to eat, when he realizes the blood, flaming arrow and people’s bodies on the floor; as if he only just noticed them because he was too preoccupied earlier. ‘O Me’ must be said in a loud and surprised voice.
Romeo will walk around looking at the dead bodies on the floor, occasionally turning one over. However he still will be depressed, and will still talk of love. Finally, Romeo will directly admit loving a woman – ‘I do love a woman’. Here Benvolio realizes his predictions were right, and speaks out loud he ‘I aimed so near, when I supposed you loved’
Here Rome becomes a little less heavy hearted; talking of how fair his love is, but soon he remembers she will never be his because of a vow to God, and is equally depressed. They will exit out toward a pub, where Benvolio will say the last words f the scene in a lud voice – ‘I’ll pay that doctrine, or else die in debt’ showing his friendship twards Romeo.
All the way thrugh this scene, Bevolio must seem supportive, as if he is there to listen to Romeo, and Romeo must seem lost in thoughts, tired in the way he walks and very depressed. It is a sad scene ,and this must be shown in the way the characters say the words, and Rmeo must always speak in a dull tone.
