When Romeo first sees Juliet he starts talking about her beauty and says “O she doth teach the torches to burn bright!” when he says this I think he is unaware of how stupid he sounds as it doesn’t really mean anything. Romeo also says ‘did my heart love till now?’ which shows he has already completely forgotten all about rosaline and that he really does find Juliet attractive and seriously love her. In act two scene two Romeo and Juliet use a lot of religious imagery in the way they speak such as when Romeo says “O speak again, bright angel, for thou art as glorious to this night, being o’er my head, as is a winged messenger of heaven” Romeo calls Juliet an angel, saying that he thinks she is beautiful and a goddess from heaven.
Paris shows a strange attitude towards love. he is prepared to marry Juliet without even getting to know her. Paris arranges with Capulet to marry Juliet but only because he finds her attractive and Capulet wants Juliet to marry him because he is a wealthy man. Paris considered Juliet to be a part of an arrangement (a deal) that he had made with Capulet. He did not like Juliet’s mood when he spoke with her in friar Lawrence’s cell because he considered her to sad and sorrowful over the death of Tybalt. Paris appeared to be very upset upon hearing about Juliet’s death because he promises to weep every night “nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep” and also he shows anger against Montague for the death of Juliet.
Firstly at the beginning in the streets of Verona Tybalt shows his hatred of all Montague’s and his preference for conflict rather than peace “ as I hate hell, all Montague’s, and thee”. Secondly at the capulets party even though Romeo has come in peace and offers peace Tybalt is determined to fight Romeo because of his hatred “this, by his voice, should be a Montague. Fetch me my rapier, boy”. Thirdly in a public place in Verona Tybalt shows that he is prepared to fight Romeo or any of his family and will not listen to any other course of action. Tybalt is prepared to fight Romeo even if Romeo will not fight back. When Mercutio trys to intervene Tybalt is determined to fight Mercutio. Quote, Tybalt to Mercutio, “ I am for you” said whilst drawing his sword.
Lord and lady Capulet genuinely believe that marrying Paris will be good for Juliet. They do love her in their own way but they are not bothered to find out what Juliet really thinks. Lord Capulet treats love as a kind of business deal he does not consider emotions at all. Lord and lady Montague show great concern for their son Romeo. Quote, lady Montague “ O where is Romeo? Saw you him today? Right glad I am he was not at this fray”. Lord and lady Montague are really concerned about Romeo but they rely on Benvolio to sort it out. They love Romeo, but they keep their distance. The play takes place in the 13th century at a time when teenagers were treated as adults, when young men were free to carry weapons and should a fight occur there was really no law to stop people from killing each other provided it was deemed as a fair fight. Young men and women could marry very young, for women 12 or 13 years old and many families in fact tried to marry off young daughters who were seen as a drain on the family resources. Although Juliet is aware that the nurse is a servant of her family she does listen and confide to the nurse who has always shown a loyalty and caring towards her. Juliet is also aware that the nurse is not as intelligent or educated as she but because of the nurses love towards her she listens to the older persons advice. The friar due to his position in the church is accepted by both Romeo and Juliet as a trustworthy, friendly older person who’s advice would only be given to the benefit of those who ask it. Members of the church were addressed as father and friar Lawrence is shown both as a religious father and as a father figure.
If I had to direct act 3 scene 1 I would have the lighting as if it were late afternoon. I would have benvolio, Mercutio and the others all relaxed and in a public place in Verona. When the capulets turn up they should seem a bit edgy and seem excited as if knowing a fight might brake out. Tybalt and his men should look confident as if they know a fight is most likely to start and that they think they are going to win. When the two groups confront each other they should stand up straight trying to make themselves look bigger and to intimidate the others. When Romeo shows up he should look scared of Tybalt but he should cover it up quite well. I would have dramatic music to set the mood.
The love of Romeo and Juliet rises above the actions of the other characters as they have an eternal love and will love each other until the day they day which ironically isn’t too long. I think all the themes of love are all as important as each other. The death of Romeo and Juliet brings the Montagues and the Capulets together as they showed their familys that they can love each other and don’t have to hate each other.
