Capulet welcomes his guest effusively, “Welcome, gentlemen! Ladies that have their toes Unplagu’d with corns will walk a bout with you.” He is pleased to welcome Romeo and his friends although he doesn’t recognize them but likes the idea of wearing a disguise and the fun this could lead to, “That I have worn a vision”. This shows that his manner in welcoming his guests is very flirtatious and playful. By having Capulets talking to several different people during the course of his speech, Shakespeare shows that Capulet is rich. He talks to his cousin about the last time they wore a mask to a feast, “Nay, sit, nay, good cousin Capulet” This element adds to the sense of excitement to the reader as it brings back the memories of the two men. Baz Luhrmann
Romeo is curious about Juliet and so he asks a servant who she is, “What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand Of yonder knight?” This creates an impression of the wealth of the party, where Capulet has had to hire in extra staff for the night and this servant doesn’t even know who Juliet is. Moreover, this indicates about the social setting of the play that Romeo has no idea who Juliet is and clearly Juliet has not been allowed to take her place in Veronese society. Also, she has not been seen outside the mansion, hence she is not recognised as the daughter of one of the most important men in Verona. In this case she would have to keep her marriage a secret, as she is not a free citizen at all. Romeo’s speech of lines 43-52 describes Juliet. Shakespeare has taken such care to describe Juliet as Romeo describes Juliet because he uses rhyming couplets, “So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows, as yonder lady o’er her fellow shows.” Shakespeare must establish that Juliet must be described beautifully about Romeo and Juliet’s speech. The effect of imagery in the description of Juliet shows that she is beautiful and mysterious. Romeo’s fluency suggests that he has feelings for Juliet and not Rosaline. The sense of romance is added to the scene here by the description of Juliet, and Romeo’s feelings for her.
After, Tybalt and Capulet have an argument about Romeo. Shakespeare conveys Tybalts anger by using rhyming couplets, “A villain that is hither come in spite…night.” We have seen Tybalt like this at the start of the play where he attempts to start a fight and the prince ends up telling him that ‘if our families fight again then they would pay with their lives.’ This adds tension to the scene by loosing their lives. With Tybalts first harmful move, this is how the sense of tension and danger is added present in the scene. Capulet reats to Tybalts rage shockingly. As Tybalt continues to speak with rhyming Capulets, it is as if he is spitting out his words. In lines 88-91, the effect that Tybalt’s thoughts will have on the rest of the play would show to speak about his plans for the future. “Patience perforce with wilful choler meeting…greeting…shall…gall.” His rhyming couplets show the strength of his feelings.
Romeo and Juliet’s first meeting is opened with a sonnet. This is suitable to the scene because a sonnet is like a symbol love and a romantic emotion adds to the scene. Religious imagery is used throughout the sonnet “This holy shrine”. This raises their love above the ordinary. Romeo compares Juliet to a holy shrine, and his lips to pilgrims that want to visit the shrine. In the part when Romeo and Juliet’s argument about the nature of their first kiss, Romeo shows a side of him where he is sad for Juliet to grant his prayer. When Romeo kisses her, he says “Then more not, while my prayers effect I take.” Which means Juliet should stay still while Romeo kisses her. When they have kissed they begin a new sonnet but this time they are interrupted. This interruption suggests about the course of their love when Juliet’s nurse interrupts them because her mother wishes to speak with her about it, which will lead their families to break apart.
As soon as Romeo realises Juliet is a Capulet he turns into the nurses’ line. Romeo was so shocked and traumatized because he is against the Capulets. This adds a sense of danger as Romeo’s awareness of Juliet’s family. Luhrmann presents this realisation for dramatic effect by changing the speed of the play into slower, which shows everything is torn apart.
After, Juliet found out who Romeo really is. When Juliet was alone with the nurse, she tries asking who Romeo is, but not suspiciously. As soon as the nurse mention Romeo is a Montague, Juliet got shocked and said, “My only love sprung from my only hate, too early seen unknown, and known too late.” A sense of danger is added to these lines because they are both from a different city, Romeo is a Montague, and Juliet is a Capulet. Both Romeo and Juliet speak in rhyming couplets when they realise who each other is. The effect of this rhyme suggests a romance in the scene. Luhrmann presents Juliet’s reaction by the end of the text comparing with the end of the scene. The end of the scene is shortened and shows many secrets in the play. Also, at the end Tybalt makes a promise to kill Romeo. This tension is sustained right to the end, and creates a sense of danger.
In conclusion, Shakespeare uses metaphors, rhyming couplets, etc. to create a sense of tension, danger in every scene of the play, such as Tybalts speech, Romeo’s identity, and when Romeo and Juliet first meet. Overall, Luhrmann’s interpretation of the scene was successful in my opinion because it was easier to communicate different emotions in the scene as it directs the point to the reader. He also creates a modern version of the play which makes it easier for people today to understand and get involved with the play. He uses metaphors and rhyming couplets to make the version interesting and thrilling as the play is about intense romance and danger.