Although Shakespeare’s writing was original, we can see a few literary traditions and other writings that influenced Shakespeare’s work. Firstly, Shakespeare’s other writings shaped how he wrote Romeo and Juliet, for example the blank verse in his other writings influenced him to put blank verse in this play. A few examples of this are: “The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!” from Macbeth, “To be, or not to be: that is the question” from Hamlet, and “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?” from Romeo and Juliet. Authors that Shakespeare read before he wrote his plays also include blank verse, which show that Shakespeare was influenced by them to write the above blank verses. Another major factor that shaped Shakespeare’s writings was fashion at the time. Shakespeare knew he was popular at the time, and also knew his audiences would enjoy a play about a tragic love story, “Shakespeare knew he was a popular writer, and also knew what his audiences wanted”; this shows he knew what the people wanted from his writing, which in turn would influence his play. The other major thing that influenced Shakespeare’s work was the authors he read before he wrote his plays; for example, Shakespeare took Arthur Brook’s Romeo and Juliet, and expanded it, e.g. the changed Tybalt in Shakespeare’s version (in the Arthur Brooks version he is mainly a background character), this shows not only how acceptable it was in Shakespeare’s time to adapt someone else’s work (which wouldn’t be acceptable now), but how someone else’s work can influence another’s and how it affected Shakespeare’s.
The language Shakespeare uses contrasts to Brooks and is much more varied; this is done in different styles. For example, there is formal poetry, “From ancient grudge, break to new mutiny”, witty puns, “I will cut off their heads”, angry outbursts, “You will be married to Paris!”, passionate idealism “With love’s light wings did I o’er-perch these walls”, prose “Find out whose names are written”, and blank verse “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?”. These all show the different styles of writing Shakespeare used to adapt the play and to make it more appealing and exciting for the audience. Shakespeare’s writing is also written in Early English, which is how people spoke at the time (mostly), “Is three long hours, yet she has not come”; this shows how Shakespeare could make the language appeal to an audience and how he could make it more understandable. The mood of the characters also influences language changes during the play, “Do as thou wilt, for I have done with thee” is when Lady Capulet is angry, and “Ho daughter, are you up?” is when she is in a caring mood. This shows how the character’s language changes as their mood changes, which also lets the audience feel as if they are getting to know the character. These all show just how much thought Shakespeare put into the language of his plays, how they made the characters be perceived and how the audience would react.
As well as studying the book by Shakespeare, we also saw other interpretations of his play. The Black Cat Theatre company for example, performed their interpretation of Romeo and Juliet with a few differences to Shakespeare’s version. There was more audience interaction (e.g. Romeo interacted with the audience at certain points), this shows who they aimed their audience at and their knowledge of audience reaction. We also watched the Zefferelli version of Romeo and Juliet, and one of the main differences in that version was that there were absolutely no lines removed from the book in the play (e.g. the formal poetry at the start), and this shows how he felt the play should be performed fully. We also watched a modernised version of the play, in which certain things were modernised (e.g. swords were replaced with guns and the balcony now had an added swimming pool which Juliet went in), this shows how Lurham (the director) changed things to make it easier for the modern day audience to understand. These different adaptations of Romeo and Juliet helped make the printed version more understandable and helped to pick up on the key points (such as the balcony scene).
Although the play seems simple enough, it is quite complex, and could be performed differently for the benefit of the audience. For example, the play could be performed into modern English, because this would make much more sense to a modern day audience, rather than something in Early English. “Tis my name that is my enemy” for example, in modern English, would make much more sense. This shows what kind of audience Shakespeare would have been aiming at when he first wrote the play. He wrote blank verse for the upper classes, “But soft! What light through yonder window breaks?” for example; if this was not in blank verse it would be easier for a modern audience to understand. Also, if certain parts were taken out of the play (for example the duel with Paris in Juliet’s chamber at the end) that weren’t needed, it would add to the play and benefit the audience. The play overall, to benefit the audience most, would need to be modernised and translated into modern English (in my opinion).
Now that all the other areas of the play have been considered, a conclusion must be drawn as to who is responsible for Romeo and Juliet’s death. No one character can be blamed, and fate must be taken into account (it is also because of fate they met in the first place); “What lady’s that which doth enrich the hand of yonder knight?” shows this, and from this, and also proves that fate plays a part in them dying. There are also a lot of characters, so no one character can be blamed. Juliet pretended to kill herself so that she could be with Romeo, “Romeo, I drink to thee”, and this shows she is willing to do anything to be with him, and therefore takes one chance too many, indirectly causing Romeo to commit suicide. She also kills herself, so is directly responsible for her death, but never meant for anyone to die, and cannot take much blame. Romeo killed Tybalt, which caused his exile and thus the risky plan of Juliet pretending to kill herself, which results in their deaths. He is responsible for the death of himself (since he kills himself) and of another person (Tybalt), and since it is own fault for being put into exile he seems to be quite responsible for deaths occurring, and can be blamed quite a lot. Lord and Lady Capulet are partly responsible for the death of Juliet, since they force her to marry Paris, which she doesn’t want to do. Friar Lawrence wanted to see the lovers do the right thing and hopefully end the feuding, however he gives Juliet the means to carry out her plan, which is quite extreme, although he does do his best to inform Romeo; he therefore seems blameless in this. Mercutio persuaded Romeo to go to the party where he met Juliet first (which could also be fate), but also dies, which makes Romeo kill Tybalt. He can’ be blamed much if at all, since fate was meant to get Romeo and Juliet together. Tybalt keeps feuding and is a trouble maker, who is killed by Romeo (which is his own fault), and causes Romeo’s exile. He can be blamed mostly for their deaths since he was causing trouble and wouldn’t be friends with Romeo. The Nurse wanted Romeo and Juliet to be together as well, and was doing the best she could; she seems blameless too. Overall, the people who seem to be most responsible are Tybalt, since he tried to kill Romeo, and killed Romeo’s friend (and also purposely wouldn’t make peace with Romeo). Lord and Lady Capulet seem to be responsible too, since they were forcing Juliet to marry Paris. Ultimately, the two lovers were going to die due to fate anyway, so changing a character’ actions or ideas wouldn’t have made any difference. However, everyone has different opinions and each argument is open to interpretation, so no one can be sure who (if anyone) is to blame, since fate was envolved.
