William Shakespeare's tragedy
Romeo and Juliet
and its movie adaptations
Notes by Vinia
2009.10.2
William Shakespeare's tragedy "Romeo and Juliet" highlights the power of youthful love against the background of built-up hatred and aged-old prejudices between rival families.
In the fair town of Verona, there were two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues They tried their best to use every method to destroy each other.
Romeo was the only son of the Montague family and Juliet, the only daughter of the Capulet family. The two met and fell in love with each other. Against the background of hatred and violence, they made the arrangement with the priest and got married secretly in the church.
Unfortunately, Romeo killed Juliet's cousin against his own will to avenge his best friend's death and was banished by the city authority as a result.
During Romeo's absence, Juliet worked out a plan with the priest to avoid the arranged marriage with another man. She drank the potion given by the priest and faked death. It was the plan that when Juliet awoke from her sleep, Romeo would return to the city and took her away secretly.
Unfortunately, the message from the priest never reached Romeo. Instead. Romeo was informed by one of his friends of Juliet's death. Romeo returned to Verona and saw Juliet's body lying motionless. With deep sorrows, he drank the poison he had brought with him and committed suicide.
Shortly, Juliet awoke from her fake death and saw her Romeo losing breath with her own eyes.
With great shock and grief, Juliet killed herself with Romeo's dagger and died next to her love.
Their determination to die together rather than being alive apart awoke their parents from their deep hatred against one another. A hope for reconciliation emerged at the cost of the lives of this young couple.
For several hundreds of years, their determination to keep the sacred promise in love and in marrige have touched upon the hearts of many lovers, young and old.
It is said that this is one of the best tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written.
In Shakespeare's original play, there are a Pologue and five acts. The following synopsis of the play is cited from this very resourceful website:
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Prologue
Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montague family start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona who angrily learns of this fight, declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families. Romeo we learn is lovesick; Rosaline, the object of his affections will not requite (return) his love. His friend Benvolio tells Romeo to look at other girls...
Meanwhile Capulet is keen for Paris to marry his daughter Juliet and plans a party to be held later that night. Romeo and friends decide to turn up uninvited, Romeo hoping to see Rosaline, whom he still pines for...
Lady Capulet discusses the idea of marriage to Paris with Juliet. Juliet keeps her options open. The Nurse wishes Juliet every possible happiness...
Meanwhile Mercutio attempts to cheer a lovesick Romeo up, telling him to be rough with love if need be.
At the Capulet's party, Romeo who is disguised by a masque (mask), falls in love with Juliet on sight. Capulet stops Tybalt from attacking Romeo at his party, telling him there will be other opportunities. Both Romeo and Juliet learn that they are each enemies of the other's family...
A Prologue sung by a choir dramatizes the conflict both Romeo and Juliet feel between their love for one another and their loyalty to their respective families.
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Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet's wall to be near Juliet, the woman he cannot forget... Unnoticed in Juliet's orchard, Romeo learns of Juliet's love for him.
After declaring their feelings for each other, the two decide to marry. Juliet will send Romeo a messenger in the morning to make plans for their wedding...
The very next day, we meet Romeo's friend, Friar Laurence. He wonders how Romeo can forget Rosaline so quickly but agrees to marry the two since he hopes this marriage it will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud...
Romeo catches up with his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. Juliet's messenger, the Nurse, arrives and the wedding is set for later that day. The Nurse brings Romeo "cords" or ropes which will allow Romeo to climb into Juliet's bedchamber as her husband later that night...
Act II ends with Romeo and Juliet's marriage.
I. Synopsis of the play
In the fair town of Verona, there were two rival families, the Capulets and the Montagues They tried their best to use every method to destroy each other.
Romeo was the only son of the Montague family and Juliet, the only daughter of the Capulet family. The two met and fell in love with each other. Against the background of hatred and violence, they made the arrangement with the priest and got married secretly in the church.
Unfortunately, Romeo killed Juliet's cousin against his own will to avenge his best friend's death and was banished by the city authority as a result.
During Romeo's absence, Juliet worked out a plan with the priest to avoid the arranged marriage with another man. She drank the potion given by the priest and faked death. It was the plan that when Juliet awoke from her sleep, Romeo would return to the city and took her away secretly.
Unfortunately, the message from the priest never reached Romeo. Instead. Romeo was informed by one of his friends of Juliet's death. Romeo returned to Verona and saw Juliet's body lying motionless. With deep sorrows, he drank the poison he had brought with him and committed suicide.
Shortly, Juliet awoke from her fake death and saw her Romeo losing breath with her own eyes.
With great shock and grief, Juliet killed herself with Romeo's dagger and died next to her love.
Their determination to die together rather than being alive apart awoke their parents from their deep hatred against one another. A hope for reconciliation emerged at the cost of the lives of this young couple.
For several hundreds of years, their determination to keep the sacred promise in love and in marrige have touched upon the hearts of many lovers, young and old.
It is said that this is one of the best tragedies William Shakespeare has ever written.
In Shakespeare's original play, there are a Pologue and five acts. The following synopsis of the play is cited from this very resourceful website:
William Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet
PrologueArguably Shakespeare's most famous play begins with a Prologue which establishes that this play will be a tragedy and that the children of two feuding families, Romeo of the Montague family and Juliet of the Capulet family, will both love and die in the course of this play...
Act I.
Sampson and Gregory, servants to the Capulets and Abraham and Balthasar, servants to the Montague family start a street fight, which is joined by Benvolio (Montague) and Tybalt (Capulet). Escalus, the Prince of Verona who angrily learns of this fight, declares a death penalty for further feuding between the two families. Romeo we learn is lovesick; Rosaline, the object of his affections will not requite (return) his love. His friend Benvolio tells Romeo to look at other girls...
Meanwhile Capulet is keen for Paris to marry his daughter Juliet and plans a party to be held later that night. Romeo and friends decide to turn up uninvited, Romeo hoping to see Rosaline, whom he still pines for...
Lady Capulet discusses the idea of marriage to Paris with Juliet. Juliet keeps her options open. The Nurse wishes Juliet every possible happiness...
Meanwhile Mercutio attempts to cheer a lovesick Romeo up, telling him to be rough with love if need be.
At the Capulet's party, Romeo who is disguised by a masque (mask), falls in love with Juliet on sight. Capulet stops Tybalt from attacking Romeo at his party, telling him there will be other opportunities. Both Romeo and Juliet learn that they are each enemies of the other's family...
A Prologue sung by a choir dramatizes the conflict both Romeo and Juliet feel between their love for one another and their loyalty to their respective families.
Act II.
Ignoring the danger, Romeo scales the Capulet's wall to be near Juliet, the woman he cannot forget... Unnoticed in Juliet's orchard, Romeo learns of Juliet's love for him.
After declaring their feelings for each other, the two decide to marry. Juliet will send Romeo a messenger in the morning to make plans for their wedding...
The very next day, we meet Romeo's friend, Friar Laurence. He wonders how Romeo can forget Rosaline so quickly but agrees to marry the two since he hopes this marriage it will end the long running Montague / Capulet feud...
Romeo catches up with his friends Mercutio and Benvolio. Juliet's messenger, the Nurse, arrives and the wedding is set for later that day. The Nurse brings Romeo "cords" or ropes which will allow Romeo to climb into Juliet's bedchamber as her husband later that night...
Act II ends with Romeo and Juliet's marriage.
Act III.
Benvolio and Mercutio (both Montagues) meet Tybalt (Capulet).
Tybalt attempts to provoke Romeo into fighting. Mercutio fights Tybalt and is killed. Romeo then kills Tybalt.
Escalus, the Prince of Verona banishes Romeo from Verona threatening death should he ever return.
Juliet learns of Romeo killing Tybalt and despite being torn between her loyalty for her family and Romeo, mourns her husband Romeo's banishment.
Romeo learns of the banishment order, realizing he will not be able to see Juliet again.
Friar Laurence suggests Romeo go to Juliet's bed chamber to comfort his wife...
Capulet, who does not know of Romeo and Juliet's marriage, decides that the marriage of Juliet to Paris must now proceed, bidding his wife to make Juliet aware of Paris' love for her.
The day of the marriage has been decided; it will be Thursday.
We learn that Romeo has spent the night with his Juliet. Juliet who is now already secretly married to Romeo, learns that she is to marry Paris. She tries to fight her father's wishes, failing to dissuade him.
Juliet decides to commit suicide if all else fails...
Act IV.
Paris reveals that the wedding will occur on Thursday. Juliet is cold to Paris.
Friar Laurence tells Juliet to take a potion simulating death, allowing Romeo to take her away, unopposed to Mantua since everyone will think she is dead at the Capulet's ancient vault or burial ground.
Capulet makes plans for Juliet's wedding. Juliet, who has decided to drink Friar Laurence's potion, no longer opposes the wedding, delighting Capulet.
Hearing this good news, Capulet, who is keen to have Juliet marry Paris decides to move the wedding forward.
It will now be on Wednesday morning, not Thursday as previously planned...
Juliet succeeds in sleeping alone which allows her to take the potion in privacy. Juliet worries about the Friar's intentions before the potion takes effect and she falls asleep...
Lady Capulet and the Nurse are busy making preparations for the wedding.
It is 3 o'clock in the morning and now Capulet hearing music announcing Paris' arrival, tells the Nurse to wake Juliet.
The Capulet's learn that their daughter Juliet is dead. The wedding preparations are changed to those of a funeral.
Act V.
In Mantua, Romeo learns of Juliet's death, deciding to risk his own life by returning to Verona at once to see Juliet one last time.
Romeo also buys some poison from a local Apothecary.
Friar John explains to Friar Laurence that his letter informing Romeo that Juliet is not dead, did not reach Romeo.
Friar Laurence tries again to inform Romeo of his plan and heads off to the Capulet burial chamber where Juliet will soon awaken.
Paris mourns his bride that never was.
Romeo arrives, opening Juliet's coffin to look at his love one last time.
Paris fights Romeo whom he believes is desecrating Juliet's grave. Paris dies, Romeo placing him beside Juliet.
Romeo takes his poison, kisses Juliet and dies. Friar Laurence arrives too late.
Juliet, now awakens, asking for her Romeo. Friar Laurence leaves, leaving Juliet alone.
Juliet kisses Romeo and stabs herself, dying.
The Prince, Capulets, and Montagues arrive, Balthasar and Friar Laurence explaining all.
Escalus scolds the two families who finally end their feud.
The play ends with the Prince summarizing this tragic love story.
The summary above is from
II. 1996 movie adaptation:
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Leonardo DeCaprio as Romeo
Claire Danes as Juliet
The background of the movie is changed from the city of Verona, Italy, several hundreds of years ago to the capital city of nowaday Brazil. I think, the intention of this adaptation is to simulate and to re-create the same effects this play must have stirred up in the audience in Shakespeare's time.
In other words, this movie would appear to us viewers in the 20th and 21th century just as in the same way this play appeared to the viewers several hundreds of years ago.
One of the best examples is the object indicated by the word "sword": In Shakespeare's time, it is a fighting sword and in the movie that depicts our time, it refers to a pistal. The effect that a fighting sword created in the viewer's mind hundreds of years ago is similar/equivalent to that aroused by a pistal in our mind.
In spite of the changes of time, the lines delivered by the characters and the plot of this tragedy remain unchanged in this movie to stay faithful to the original play by William Shakespeare. This is the reason why the title of the film is called "William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet."
In comparison, the 1999 adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet" is entitled "Shakespeare in Love," which is a made-up story accounting how this love tragedy was created by Shakespeare.
III. 1999 movie adaptation:
Shakespeare in Love
Gwyneth Paltrow as Shakespeare's love
Joseph Finennes as William Shakespeare
This movie is a fictional story about how the play "Romeo and Juliet" came about. The story tells the audience that Shakespeare created this play from his own life experience with a woman he loved but had to give up.
The movie described a love story between the poor playwright/actor Shakespeare and Viola, a rich merchant's daughter, who was free-spirited to explore her own talents but was about to marry a nobleman through the arrangement of her parents.
As this love relationship developed in Shakespeare's life, the story of "Romeo and Juliet," as we know it, was also taking shape under Shakespeare's pen. Viola's fearless love greatly inspired Shakespeare, who then used his talents to complete the script and to put it on the stage.
By transforming life experience into a masterpiece of drama, Shakespeare had made a name for himself before the Queen and rightly on his way to become a successful playwright. At the same time, Viola got married with the nobleman and had to say goodbye to Shakespeare and sail for Virginia, a ne plantation
The sorrows of parting Viola could never be mended for Shakespeare and he resolved that Viola would be the horoine for every play to come under his name. One of the immediate examples was "The Twelfth Night," in which the heroine was named Viola.
The imperfection in reality is mended and transformed by the beauty of art. This is the main theme addressed in the movie.
The intricate relationship between reality and art has long been an important issue for human creativity: The dividing line between the two is hard to draw. It is easy for people to get confused between the two and become deceived by art, as indicated by this definition of art: Art is a lie that tells the truth.
Because the nature of art is a deceiving human fabrication that imitates, represents, and tranforms reality rather than presenting the true reality directly, Plato considered the artists to be dangerous for the whole society and expel them from The Republic.
However, there are rare cases when art would "invade' reality become real. In Greek mythology, the sculpturor Pygmanion fell in love with the beautiful statue he had been working on, and then Venus transformed this piece of art to a real woman named Galatea to grant the artist's wish.
In the Ink Trilogy (i.e., Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath) by Cornelia Funke, the hero Mo has an extra-ordinary power of reading the character(cretures) out of the book: As he reads, the characters (creatures) in the book come out of the book and become alive in reality. The transaction goes both ways: human beings and creatures in reality can also be read into the book and become trapped in there untill someone reads them out again.
The dividing line between reality and the fictional art world becomes so elusive and dynamic in the Ink Triology. This is where the magic lies.
In comparison, in the 1999 movie adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," the division between reality and art is distinctive: Art compensates for the heart's deep loss in reality. This is one of the main themes for all forms of human creation around the globe, and this is the reason why this movie touches upon the hearts of many people.
The movie described a love story between the poor playwright/actor Shakespeare and Viola, a rich merchant's daughter, who was free-spirited to explore her own talents but was about to marry a nobleman through the arrangement of her parents.
As this love relationship developed in Shakespeare's life, the story of "Romeo and Juliet," as we know it, was also taking shape under Shakespeare's pen. Viola's fearless love greatly inspired Shakespeare, who then used his talents to complete the script and to put it on the stage.
By transforming life experience into a masterpiece of drama, Shakespeare had made a name for himself before the Queen and rightly on his way to become a successful playwright. At the same time, Viola got married with the nobleman and had to say goodbye to Shakespeare and sail for Virginia, a ne plantation
The sorrows of parting Viola could never be mended for Shakespeare and he resolved that Viola would be the horoine for every play to come under his name. One of the immediate examples was "The Twelfth Night," in which the heroine was named Viola.
The imperfection in reality is mended and transformed by the beauty of art. This is the main theme addressed in the movie.
The intricate relationship between reality and art has long been an important issue for human creativity: The dividing line between the two is hard to draw. It is easy for people to get confused between the two and become deceived by art, as indicated by this definition of art: Art is a lie that tells the truth.
However, there are rare cases when art would "invade' reality become real. In Greek mythology, the sculpturor Pygmanion fell in love with the beautiful statue he had been working on, and then Venus transformed this piece of art to a real woman named Galatea to grant the artist's wish.
In the Ink Trilogy (i.e., Inkheart, Inkspell, and Inkdeath) by Cornelia Funke, the hero Mo has an extra-ordinary power of reading the character(cretures) out of the book: As he reads, the characters (creatures) in the book come out of the book and become alive in reality. The transaction goes both ways: human beings and creatures in reality can also be read into the book and become trapped in there untill someone reads them out again.
The dividing line between reality and the fictional art world becomes so elusive and dynamic in the Ink Triology. This is where the magic lies.
In comparison, in the 1999 movie adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet," the division between reality and art is distinctive: Art compensates for the heart's deep loss in reality. This is one of the main themes for all forms of human creation around the globe, and this is the reason why this movie touches upon the hearts of many people.
IV. Cultural significance:
What are the main cultural issues addressed in each of these two movies respectively?
The 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet is very faithful to the original play by Shakespeare, except that the background is set in our time. By so doing, the story is carried across the time barriers to approach the modern viewers: The viewers experience the old story in the terms of modern days.
In contrast, the 1999 movie adaptation attempts to bring the viewers back to the sixteenth century and observe the cultural/social context which yielded the story. In other words, the movie is an account of how the story of Romeo and Juliet was produced by simulating the cultural background of Shakespeare's time.
By staging Shakespeare's original story in modern days, the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet highlights (1) teenagers' perception of love vis-a-vis the sophisticated and corrupted world of the adults, (2) the different ways in which justice is carried out by clan/gangs and by society/country, and (3) the lack of communication and affections in child-parent relationship during teenagehood.
Different from the original Romeo and Juliet, which focuses itself on the issue of youthful love against hatred, the 1999 movie adaptation concerns adults' love vis-a-vis cultural/social barrriers.
Through the representiion of sixteenth-century London, the movie foregronds several cultural/social issues specific to Queen Elizabethis time.
The first one is gender issue: Women were banned from the stage and marriages are arranged by parents at that time.
The second one is class divisions, such as the rich vs the poor and the nobleman vs the commoner.
The third one is the exploration and exploitation of the New world, i.e., North America, by setting up plantations in the new colonies.
The fourth one concerns the struggling of playwright/artists from dependents on entertaining show business to independent artists in drama/theatre.
Finally comes the central question: Could the love between Shakespeare and Viola go beyond the restraints of all these cultural/social barriers? How was their story going to end?
V. A temporary conclusion on the romantic stories and movies we have studied so far:
Love never withers in seperation and it never ends in death.Do you believe in this?
What is your temporary conclusion?
