Romeo ; Juliet Essay Example

Romeo ; Juliet Essay I have been asked to envision that I am a director and direct Act 2 scene 2 and Act 3 scene 5 from Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare. Romeo and Juliet is thought to have been written in 1595 or 1596. The story is about a pair of star-crossed lovers. Two teenagers pursue their love for each other despite the fact that their families have been at odds with each other for decades. The story combines sword fighting, disguise, misunderstanding, tragedy, humour, and some of the most romantic language found in literature all in the name of true love. The story begins with Romeo taking a walk under the grove of a sycamore tress in the early Sunday morning mist. Then later the servants of the two families (Montagues and Capulets) have a street brawl with drawn swords. Romeo (Montague), who is in love with Rosaline, goes to a party in an effort to forget her or to ease his broken heart. At this party he met Juliet, and immediately fell in love with her. He later finds out that she is a Capulet, the rival family of the Montagues. He decides that he loves her anyway and they confess their love for each other and they agree to secretly marry the next day. Friar Lawrence agrees to marry them in an effort to end the feuding between the families. Unfortunately, the fighting gets worse and Mercutio (Montague), a good friend of Romeos, ends up in a fight with Tybalt (Capulet), Juliets cousin. Tybalt kills Mercutio, which causes Romeo to kill Tybalt in an angry rage. For this, Romeo is banished from Verona. We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo ; Juliet specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo ; Juliet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Romeo ; Juliet specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer At the same time, the Capulets are planning Juliets marriage to Paris. Juliet does not want to marry this man so she arranges with Friar Lawrence to fake her own death with a sleeping potion that will make everyone think that she is dead. Friar Lawrence promises to send word to Romeo to meet her when the potion wears off and to rescue her to Mantua, where Romeo is currently staying. Unfortunately, Romeo does not receive this message on time and upon hearing of her death goes to Juliets tomb where he drinks poison and dies. When Juliets potion wears off, she awakens to find her lovers corpse. She then proceeds to stab herself with Romeos dagger. The two families find the bodies and their shared sorrow, finally make peace with each other. Shakespeare mostly uses blank verse in all his plays and in Romeo and Juliet apart from where he uses rhyme. Blank verse is used to make it run smoothly and is more flexible than rhyme it does not constrict the writer to using only words that rhyme. Italian cities were infamous for their long lasting deadly feuds between prominent families. Think the play was written as a part of his contribution with others to say no against such conflicts. In order to direct the two scenes form the play Romeo and Juliet, I must first identify the role of a director. To conclude my research on the role of a director I have found out that the director is someone who supervises and guides the performers in a play, film or musical performance. The director is also responsible of everything you see in a film such as the lighting, music, sound effects, props, scenery, special effects and the costumes. I would direct these two scenes on a stage theatre performance instead of a film; this is because I feel that a theatre performance would bring the play to LIFE in real time and space with live actors. As a director I would keep the following elements of the original play which is love at first sight, moon light and romance, Romeos risk taking and sense of danger and the scenes development to the marriage plans. Act Two, Scene Two is very important in the context of the play as a whole. Shakespeare has shown that the characters mature throughout the scene. He has also used a variety of methods to create dramatic tension, such as the inconsistency of Romeos elegant language, and the pragmatically of Juliet. The audience has also been made aware of the historical and cultural techniques he has used. This scene is the turning point in the play, where events and promises which occur, dramatically influence the catastrophic ending of the play. This scene also enables us to look closely at Shakespeares language. However, the language used is romantic, but at the same time elaborate, in the way that Juliet is spoken of. He uses clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Ãƒ ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½d, formal, beautiful verse, but whenever Shakespeare speaks, we are made very aware that Romeo wants to have sex. We can see this in the quote on Line 24, Act 2, Scene 2. O that I were a glove upon that hand, That I might touch that cheek. This is how I would direct Act 2 Scene 2 of the play Romeo and Juliet, When Romeo first sees Juliet you can see he is admiring her as he says on lines 2-3: But soft what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. For this opening of the balcony scene, I would fade in light throughout the scene as to simulate the sun rising. I would have Romeo wearing a tunic suit, as from Shakespearean times. One of the elements I would change from the original play would be for Juliet to wear a green gown instead of a white gown to represent her virginity. As it is the garden balcony, I would include a lot of pink and red flowers as to enhance the romantic nature of the scene. Romeo continues to flatter Juliet by saying that her eyes are like stars in heaven, and her cheeks only exceed their brightness. He also says she is a winged messenger of heaven. Of course by this he is comparing Juliet to an angel, a good use of simile and comparison. During all this flattery the light is slowly rising. After the light gets to certain dimness, it will stop as to enhance the romantic nature of the scene. After the light has reached this, Juliet speaks of Romeo. When she has finished, instead of Romeo interrupting her, I would have him making a sound in the corner, such as stepping on a twig, to enhance the intensity and climax of the lovers. After this, Rome hits her with lines 66 and 67: With loves light wings did I oer-perch these walls, For stony limits cannot hold love out He says this in reply to Juliets question of how he got into her garden, as the walls are too high. As Romeo says the lines I believe some soft orchestra music should start as to add to the romantic nature of the scene. This should carry through to the end of the scene. Women played a completely different role in society in Elizabethan times than they do today. Wealthy upper class women like Juliet were expected to obey their fathers wishes and marry at their command. Love was not a deciding factor in the marriages occurring between the rich. Fathers arranged marriages to obtain better links with certain important wealthy families and inherit money. Act 3 Scene 5, it is important to the whole play. This scene is also a turning point in the play. If this scene didnt happen then Romeo wouldnt have been banished, Romeo and Juliet wouldnt have been separated, leading up to them killing themselves. This scene represents a change in emotions and you can clearly see Romeo and Juliets relationship heading downhill to a calamity. If I were to stage Act 3 Scene 5, I would find it extremely hard to create a sense of reality. I think the stage layout is very significant, as the audience must have a sense of direction of the scene. I would start by putting a door on opposite sides of the stage to show a degree of opposition when the actors enter. There will be no scenery and the background will simply be draped in black sheets to indicate the play is a tragedy. There may be a few props such as a table and an arch will help the dramatic appearance of the actual sword fight as they try to fight around it. Above the doors at either end of the stage will be balconies for the musicians to sit and provide sound effects at particular moments through the scene, especially at the moment where Mercutio is stabbed and is lying on the floor dead. As for means of injuries and realistic appearance of them I think that as long as the quality of acting is superior it would be believable as to what injuries were occurring. To aid the actors in achieving this I would place a sheeps stomach behind the clothing so once pierced it would look like the actor is really bleeding and actually has been stabbed. Obviously each part will be played by a male as women were forbidden from the stage in the Shakespearian period. This wouldnt have posed a problem to this particular scene but is an appropriate detail to take into account. An example of one of the metaphors in act 3 scene 5 is on lines 6-11 early on in the scene is, Nights candles are burnt out. This refers to the stars disappearing as daybreaks. It could also be a pun in meaning the actual candles of the night are burnt out and come to an end. Plays on words like this are good things to include into a play because they add to the audiences enjoyment. Romeo ; Juliet Essay Example Romeo ; Juliet Essay Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeares ultimate romantic tragedy, tells the story of, arguably, the worlds most famous literacy young lovers. Star-crossed by fate, their romantic, impulsive young love is doomed from the start, yet we follow innocent, enthusiastic pursuit with eager anticipation.In witnessing this tragic path of true love, the characters of Romeo and Juliet are beautifully developed by their own words and, of course, by the words and actions of those around them. In contrasting and comparing their individual characters, we can vividly see how alike they are, and ultimately how tragically they differ.Romeo is the only son of Lord and Lady Montague an aristocratic family living in Verona. He is eighteen years old and desperately in love with a young lady called Rosaline who wants nothing to do with him, as she wants to remain a virgin. Romeo wanders around aimlessly, with a heavy sadness, as his love spurned during his wandering he comes across a street fight between his own ho usehold the Montagues and another the Capulets. These two families are daggers drawn Romeo meets his friend Benvolio who is sick and tired of Romeo talking about Rosaline. Romeo tells Benvolio how much in love he is with Rosaline A right good mark-man, and shes fair in love.She hath, and in the sparing, makes huge waste: for beauty Staird with her severity, cuts beauty off from all prosterity. She is too fair, too wise, wisely too fair, to merit bliss by making me despair: she hath forsworn to love, and in the vow, do I live dead, that live to tell it now. Benvolio tells Romeo he should forget Rosaline, as how can he know he is in love with her, as he has never met anyone else to compare her with Be ruld by me, forget to think of her.Juliet is almost fourteen years old, and is the only surviving member of the Capulet household. Juliets father has asked for her hand in marriage to Paris a rich nobleman related to the Prince of Verona. She is going to the Capulet feast on Sunday eveni ng to meet Paris and to see what she thinks about him, as Juliet is not sure whether she wants to marry or not. She is very close to her nurse and tells everything to her rather than her mother. The nurse reveals more about Juliets character than anyone because she confides in her. Juliet is very dramatic, and yet not allowed the freedom that Romeo has.On the evening of the Capulet party Romeo is seconded to read the guest list, and discovers that one of the guests is his beloved Rosaline. Benvolio suggests that Romeo should gatecrash the party to enable him to compare Rosaline with other ladies.compare her face with some that I shall show. And I shall make thee think thy swan a crow During the evening he meets with Juliet and both felt instant physical attraction. For Romeo it was not, as before, in love with the idea of love.O she doth teach the torches to burn bright it seems she hangs upon the cheek of night as a rich jewel in an ethiops ear-beauty to rich for use, for earth to dear Romeo flirted with Juliet, but was dismayed when he was asked to leave, because he was a member of the rival household. Both Romeo and Juliet were upset when they discovered they were from rival households.RomeoO dear account. My life is my foes debtJulietMy only love sprung from my only hate too early seen unknown, and known to late prodigious birth of love is to me that I must love a loathed enemy.Romeo is so passionate about Juliet that he decides to seek her out, and he jumps over the orchard wall onto the Capulet land, amid jeering from his friends, who still think he is in love with Rosaline, and tells to go home to bed.Romeo speaks to himself, saying why should she continue to be chaste, and it is only fools who are virgins. He is then left wondering whether Juliet knows of his presence. His speech is dramatic and is full of passion the brightness of her cheek would shame those stars as daylight doth a lamp. Her eyes in heaven would through the airy region so bright that birds would sing and think it were not night He is telling her how beautiful she is, and her eyes are sparkling like stars.Juliet replys with Oh that I were a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek Juliet wishes that she could touch the cheek of the speaker.When Juliet speaks the famous quotations Romeo, Romeo wherefore are thou Romeo?She is not actually looking for him, but wishing he was not a Montague, nor her a Capulet.Juliet asks who he is, and Romeo can no longer hold back and revels his presence. I know not how to tell them who I am: My name dear saint, is hateful to myself Juliet asks Romeo how he has managed to get in and fears for his safety, but Romeo insists on staying.Juliet then becomes very embarrassed, and she knows he has heard her speaking of her love, but she decides, as she has already committed herself she must ask Romeo, if he does love her.Romeo swears by the moon, that he loves her, but she asks him not to swear by the moon as it changes nightly. Juliet begins to worry, saying it is too rash, too unadvisd, too suddenRomeo asks O wilt though leave me unsatisfiedJuliet is a good Catholic girl, and although very much in love, she is more practical. She knows that if they met their love would be so strong they would consummate their love, so she wants to make plans for their marriage.Romeo makes a promise that he will send someone to see her tomorrow who will perform the marriage.If that but of love be honourable, thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrowRomeo was far more impulsive than Juliet. He wanted everything to happen immediately. Juliet was very sensible for her age, although rather dramatic.Romeo meets Juliets nurse, and tells the nurse, Juliet must go to Friar Laurences cell to confession in the afternoon and they will be married. The nurse must also put a rope ladder down from Juliets balcony so Romeo can consummate their marriage that evening.Romeos impulsiveness comes across, whilst he is waiting in Friar Laurenc es cell for Juliet. He intimates that there is no need for all the hassle with the marriage, it is enough for him to say Juliet is mineDo thou but close our hands with holy words then love-devouring death do what he dare it is enough I may but cell her mine.Friar Lawrence thinks Romeo is too impetuous. Anything that arrive quickly, will die quickly, just like their love. It is better to take things slowly and then it will be everlasting.These violent daylights have violent end, and in their triumph die like fire and powder. Which as they kiss they consume. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness, and in the taste confounds the appetite.Therefore love moderately, long love doth so, too swift arrives, as tardy as too slow. Juliet arrives and they are married. Romeo is cook-a-hoop, and meets his friends he is full of bravado and wit good morrow to you both, what counterfeit did I give you?Mercutio: The slip sir, the slip, can you conceive?When the nurse enters, Romeo m akes fun of the nurseRomeo: Heres a goodly gear. A said, a said.Mercutio: Two, two a shirt and a smock.Romeo would never have spoken about the nurse like that, and certainly would not like Juliet to hear him. He is acting flippant, and big headed.Another quarrel breaks out in the street, Mercutio teases Benvolio, then Tybalt picks a quarrel with Mercutio over Romeo. When Romeo arrives Tybalt calls him a villain, but Romeo backs down, knowing that he is now related to Tybalt, and tries to diffuse the situation. Mercutio is appalled at the sudden cowardice of Romeo, and draws his sword at Tybalt. Romeo tries to separate them, but unfortunately Mercutio is fatally wounded by Tybalts sword trust under the arm of Romeo.Romeo is distraught, and when Tybalt returns Romeo fights with him and kills him. Benvolio tells the truth about the incident to the prince, but the prince insists he is lying, he exiles Romeo telling him he will be put to death if found in Verona.Juliet is demented waitin g for Romeo to come and consummate their marriage. Her nurse comes to tell her what has happened, and she is very upset both over the death of Tybalt and the banishment of Romeo, both Romeo and Juliet see banishment as death take his last farewell.Juliet plans to die a virgin, but the nurse assures her Romeo will come back.Romeo is hiding in the Friar Lawrences cell and is beside himself with grief. However the nurse arrives and takes him to his beloved Juliet where they consummate their marriage.Juliet tries to pretend it is not yet morning so she can keep Romeo a little bit longer and he intimates he will stay and risk getting killed, but she realises it is not practical.Romeo: It was the lark, the herald morn; No nightingale; look love what envious streaks do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. Nights candles are burnt out, and jocund day stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops, I must be gone and live, or stay and die.Lady Capulet is arranging Juliets marriage to Paris, b ut Juliet is adamant that she cannot marry Paris. She turns to her nurse, but she sees no harm in Juliet marrying Paris as no-one knows she is married to Romeo. The nurse starts to call Romeo and praise Paris.Juliet: Speakest though from the heart?Nurse: And from soul tooJuliet decides to leave and go and consult the only person who knows she cannot marry Paris, the Friar.Juliet arrives at the Friars cell, but already Paris is trying to arrange their marriage. Juliet makes her excuses and says that she wants to make a confession so Paris leaves.Juliet then breaks down in tears and despair and says she would rather be dead than marry Paris. She asks the Friar with all the years of his experience is there anything he can do to help. The Friar tells her he can make a potion that she may drink and it will render her unconscious, appearing to be dead, no pulse, colour in her face or heartbeat. The potion will last for 24 hours. Juliet is to take the potion in the evening, and when her nu rse comes to wake her for her wedding to Paris, she will appear dead, her corpse will be removed to the family vault, where the Friar will arrange for Romeo to be when she wakes, and take her away to Mantua.Juliet arrives home to tell her family she has decided to marry Paris the next day. The Capulets are very joyful. Juliet asks her nurse to leave her alone. She is very afraid all kind of doubts are running through her mind. She feels alone I have a faint cold fear thrills through my veins that almost freezes up the heart of lifeShe knows she must act alone. Juliet begins to have doubts about the Friar, whether the potion will kill, but then she believes he is a holy man.What if it be a poison which the Friar subly hath ministerd to have me deadShe worries if she wakes before Romeo comes she will be in a vault with no air to breathe and die strangled. Or if she were to live she would be amongst hundreds of bones of her deceased ancestors, foul smells and shrieking spirits I shall not be stifled in the vault?Or if I live, is it not very likeThe horrible conceit of death and night, together with the terror of the placeJuliet is absolutely terrified but knows that there is no way out than to drink the potion. If it is the only way she can be with her Romeo. Very bravely, if not dramatically she drinks the potion and falls to her bed.Juliets nurse tries to awake Juliet to dress her for her wedding, and eventually the nurse realises that Juliet is dead. The friar organises a funeral instead of a wedding.Romeo enquires from Balthsar if Juliet is well. Balthsar explains that Juliet is dead and he has seen Juliet in the family vault. Romeo reacted in a very dignified way although he looked pale and wild, he persistently asked were there any letters from the Friar.Rush though art decievd, leave me, and do the things I bid thee to do. Hast thou no letters from the Friar.Romeo is very impetuous and looks for an apothecary to sell him poison so he can die with his belov ed Juliet.Romeo goes to the tomb, where Paris is, bringing flowers and to mourn. Paris hides when he hears someone coming it is Romeo who proceeds to open the tomb Paris thinks he is going to do something dreadful with bodies and challenges Romeo.A fight ensues and Paris is fatally wounded Romeo lays Paris in the tomb and discovers Juliets body.For here lies Juliet, and her beauty makes this vault a feasting presence full of eight. He also discovers the body of Tybalt Romeo takes the potion.Thy drugs are quick. Thus with thee dieThe Friar arrives and realises what has happened Juliet awakes and asks for Rome who is lying dead in her arms. The Friar wants her to leave quickly but she refuses.Juliet takes the poison cup from Romeos hand, but the cup is empty. Juliet kisses his lips hoping there is some poison left on them.She is disturbed by the watch, so quickly and decisively, she stabs herself with Romeos dagger, falls and dies.Poison I see hath been timeless end; O churl, drunk al l, and left no friendly drop to help me after. I will kiss thy lips. Haply some poison yet doth hang on the.When everyone arrives they discover the deaths of Romeo, Juliet who was already supposed to be dead, and Paris. It remains for Friar Lawrence to explain the situation.Unfortunately it has taken such a tragedy to unite the Capulets and the Montagues.Romeo and Juliet were two star-crossed lovers who were both attracted to one another by instant physical attraction.Juliet was more true to her parents and her religion, whereas Romeo could wander about without any recriminations by his parents.Juliet was very brave but also dramatic because she did not take the poison to actually die. She was hoping that she would come round, and therefore make the statement that she was actually prepared to die for Romeo.Romeo was very impulsive, and didnt think to deeply of the consequences of his actions.What should have been a happy ending for two young people in love, ends up in tragedy and re gret by the two households involved which eventually brings them together in mourning.