Romeo and Juliet”. It gives us a preview of the play: the bitter quarrels
of the Montagues and Capulets are ended up only by the death of their
children, Romeo and Juliet. In the second scene County Paris appears in
Capulet’s home asking permission for Juliet’s hand in marriage. Capulet
says his daughter is still “a stranger to the world”, but he will agree if
Juliet consents. i
Capulet’s servants, Sampson and Gregory, joke together in a public
place in Verona. They boast that they are superior to the Montagues. “I
will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the
wall.” Shakespeare used a lot of crude characters and language even
though the play was about love and not sex. It was probably to entertain
the male audience. Suddenly two of Montague’s servant’s appear. They
begin to quarrel with each other. Abram, a Montague, asks Sampson if
he “bites his thumb”. This was a rude gesture in Elizabethan times.
Sampson replies saying “no, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I
do bite my thumb, sir.” Benvolio, also a Montague, tries to make peace.
“Part fools! Put up your swords.” But Tybalt, a Capulet, adds flames to
the fire, seizing the opportunity to fight. Tybalt calls Benvolio a
“heartless hind”, which begins the mockery to Benvolio for fighting with
the servants. He calls Benvolio a ‘wuss.’ “What, drawn and talk of peace?
I hate the word, As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee. Have at thee
coward.” They fight furiously and it turns into a riot. Capulet and
Montague appear and join in. The Prince arrives, angry and exasperated
and stops the fight. He lectures Montague and Capulet.
Act 3 scene 1 is the middle of the play where all the main conflict and
fights take place. This is because people are killed and it sets a climax
towards the end. Before this scene Friar Lawrence and Romeo await
Juliet for their marriage ceremony.
This scene has a lot of effect on act 3 scene 1.The Friar advises
moderation in love, not violent excess. In reply to Romeo’s elaborate
language, Juliet speaks of her true love. In act 3 scene 2, Juliet is
unaware of Romeo’s murderous event and waits the night for Romeo to
come. When she finds out Romeo is banished she is devastated and
threatens to kill herself. But the Nurse cheers her up by saying she will
find Romeo and send him to her bedchamber.
Act 3 scene 1 is set in a public place in Verona. The weather is an issue
because it is very hot. “The day is hot, the Capels are abroad.” Benvolio
is scared of meeting the Capulets, knowing a fight will surely follow. “If
we meet we shall not scape a brawl.” Mercutio laughs at his fears,
accusing Benvolio of being a quick-tempered quarreller. Then Tybalt,
Petruchio and others appear. Mercutio taunts Tybalt, but Tybalt ignores
him. “Men’s eyes were made to look, and let them gaze; I will not budge
for no man’s pleasure, I. He tries to quarrel with Tbalt.” Tybalt is looking
for Romeo whom appears. He tells Mercutio to shut up and says, ”here
comes my man” (referring to Romeo). Tybalt wants to fight Romeo and
calls him a “villain.” Romeo refuses to fight because he has just married
Juliet, a Capulet, and is now a part of the family. He tells Tyblat that he
loves him. But Tybalt refuses the love and challenges Romeo. “Thou hast
done me, therefore turn and draw. “ Mercutio, angered by Romeo’s
refusal to fight, challenges Tybalt. “O calm, dishonourable, vile
submission!” Tybalt accepts and they begin to fight. Romeo tries to
make peace but ends up getting in the way. “Hold Tybalt! Good
Mercutio!” Tybalt is under Romeo’s arm, which thrusts Mercutio in.
Mercutio gets stabbed and says, “I am hurt. A plague a’ both your
houses!” He curses Montagues and Capulets alike. He jokes about his
wound to say it is just a “scratch” when soon after he dies. Tybalt goes
away after this fight.
Romeo is angry at this point about Mercutio’s death. He sees revenge
on Tybalt. “Fire-eyed fury be my conduct now!” Romeo tells Tybalt that
one or both of them will die in order to keep Mercutio “company”.
Romeo kills Tybalt and flees. The Prince and Lady Capulet arrive.
Benvolio tells the story of how Mercutio and Tybalt died. Lady Capulet
does not believe him and demands that Romeo must die. “Romeo slew
Tybalt, Romeo must not live.” Romeo is then banished from Verona.
The final scene I have chosen is Act 5 scene 3. This scene is the
finale/climax. It ties everything to come to a head- Romeo and Juliet
tragically die, as does Paris. It begins when Paris and his Page go to visit
Juliet’s tomb to lay flowers and mourn. The Page whistles to warn him
someone is coming. “The boy gives warning, something doth approach.”
Romeo appears in determination to force open the tomb. He threatens
Balthasar to dismiss. “By Heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint, And strew
this hungry churchyard with thy limbs.” He swears to God by saying
“heaven”. The “hungry churchyard” indicates a graphic image of the
churchyard ‘eating’ body parts.
As Romeo forces entry Paris steps forward to challenge him. “This is
that banished haughty Montague, that murdered my love’s cousin.”
Romeo- “a madman’s mercy”- Romeo knows that he is crazy with grief.
“Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee boy!” This is a final warning to
Paris, to back off. Paris tries to arrest Romeo. “Obey and go with me, for
thou must die.” They fight and Paris is slain by Romeo. Paris asks Romeo
to place his body beside Juliet. Romeo grants his dying wish. This ends
the conflict and quarrels. Now the suicide begins; from Romeo. He
gazes on Juliet and s determined to join her in death. He drinks the
poison. “Thou desperate pilot, now at once run on the dashing rock thy
seasick weary bank!” This suggests that the poison will smash his body
against metaphorical rocks as it kills him. It sets a violent image. He
kisses her and then dies.
Juliet then wakes up with the company of Friar Lawrence. He tells her to
get out of the tomb because he doesn’t want her to see her dead
husband. “I hear some noise, lady. Come from that nest of death,
contagion, and unnatural sleep.” She turns to see Romeo lying there
with “a cup closed” in her “true love’s hand.” She knows it is poison and
is disappointed that there is “no friendly drop” to help her after. There
is nothing left, so she makes it “brief” by using a “happy dagger.” She
stabs herself and dies.
The Friar relates the tragic story to the Prince and Co. In the end
Montagues and Capulets are reconciled and the feud is over. “O brother
Montague give me thy hand.” The Prince closes the play with a brief
ending. “For never was a story of more woe, Then this of Juliet and her
Romeo.”
If I were to direct the play I would use the same effects as Shakespeare.
There is no need for all the lighting and special effects. The words can
help the audience understand each scene. Also the tone of voice and
body language would help to show scenery etc.
“Romeo and Juliet” is not a violent play. Although it contains hatred and
death, it has always been known as a romantic tragedy. Two teenagers
from rival families falling in love and led to suicide. I think Juliet’s death
was quite violent, in a sense that she is happy to kill herself- calling her
body the dagger’s sheath. This is not really how a teenage girl would
think. But any sort of pain can lead to suicide.