Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Baz Lurhmann's Film Version

Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Baz Lurhmann's Film Version

Previously, in Act 2 Scene 6, we have seen Romeo and Juliet marrying

one another thus binding the Montagues with the Capulets together. The

marriage had to take place in secret, due to the war between the two

families. We see at the beginning of Act 3 Scene 1, the behaviour

between Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt reflect the hatred between the

Montagues and Capulets.

Throughout this essay I shall be looking at the main characters of Act

3 Scene 1, also I will discuss the way Shakespeare presents the

characters in the play and in contrast with Baz Lurhmann's film of

Romeo and Juliet, to see if Lurhmann adds anything to how the

characters are represented in the film.

At the start of act 3 scene 1 we see Mercutio's arrogance, as when

confronted by Tybalt, he tells him that he "will not budge". Here,

Mercutio is showing confidence in that he won't back down before

Tybalt. Looking at the film, you get the sense that Lurhmann shares

the same impression, as in the film, Mercutio's arrogance can be

clearly seen especially when Romeo is seen submitting to Tybalt, so,

Mercutio goes to help his friend, and here we see Lurhmann gets

Mercutio to drop his gun in the sand, portraying that Mercutio doesn't

need firepower in order to kill Tybalt.

Following Mercutio's arrogance is his ability to be able to turn his

conversation into a fight. This proves my statement, as when he is

talking to Tybalt, Mercutio says "make it a word and a blow". Meaning

the Mercutio wants to have a conversation as well as a fight. Lurhmann

points this out, as he gets Mercutio to put emphasis on the word

...

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...ecomes afraid and finally

when it comes to it accepts his death. Romeo on the other hand, starts

off being peaceful and when Mercutio is killed, he turns into an

animal like person and flies off in a rage to go kill Tybalt, who

earlier he wanted to make peace with. The film really brings out the

characters vulnerability, when about to die or staring death in the

face. By watching the film, it brings out the characters expression,

and showing the viewer the actions and facial expressions of the

character. I feel the main point which echoes through out the play, is

the war between the Montague's and the Capulets. Also you get the

sense, that if there were no division between the two families, no one

would have been killed and maybe you may have not seen the characters

being so aggressive and arrogant towards one another.