The Portrayal of Family Conflict in Act 3 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

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The Portrayal of Family Conflict in Act 3 Scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare Act 3 scene 5 focuses on the conflict between Juliet and Capulet that has arisen from Juliet’s forthcoming and unwelcome marriage to Paris. I will be looking at the film version from 1967 and a modern version from 1997. Social, historical and dramatic devices feature heavily in both film adaptations of this renowned Shakespearian play. They are used to create tension and build a more exciting storyline. In the 1967 film a more traditionalist view is taken on the conflict in act 3 scene 5. Lady Capulet informs Capulet of Juliet’s unwilling approach to marriage. Capulet is furious and marches upstairs to confront his daughter. This scene indicates its age as little violence is used and the characters wear dark coloured clothes which are accompanied by extravagant jewellery and other showy accessories such as imposing hats festooned with feathers, beads and jewels. Despite the lack of violence Capulet and Juliet clearly exemplify their anger with lots of shouting and emotion. Juliet cowers behind her nurse whilst her father hurls abuse at her. ‘I’ll give you to my friend; and you be not hang, beg, starve, die in the streets!’ This quote portrays Capulet as a heartless man who puts his pride before his family. He threatens Juliet that if she doesn’t marry Paris he will give her to his friends who will use her for his own purposes then leave her to die. This is not the behaviour of a caring, kind father. Whilst Juliet is being verbally abused we are presented with camera angles and mis en scene that makes us see Juliet as an innocent young girl and Capulet as a raging monster. Juliet is slumped on the floor whilst her father towers over her giving him the impression of power and giving her the impression of weakness. Juliet is dressed all in white. This indicates that she is angelic, innocent and pure. This is an example of subliminal narrative where something is triggered in the

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