The Prologue and First Scene of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

The Prologue and First Scene of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

This essay will feature how different directors put the original text

of 'Romeo & Juliet' into films using their own interpretations.

In the prologue Shakespeare has given an insight into the play similar

to a blurb on a book or a film trailer. The prologue sets the scene, "

In fair Verona (where we lay our scene)," making the play more

believable, as in Shakespeare's time scenery would have been minimal.

In Elizabethan theatre the prologue would have been there to catch the

audience and tell them that the play was about to begin, as well as

including general information, " two hours traffic of our stage," like

how long the play would last. In order to capture the audience's

minds' the prologue suggests treachery, " civil blood makes civil

hands unclean," rivalry, " parent's strife," action, " ancient grudge

break to new mutiny," and love, " star-crossed lovers," this would

make the audience hungry for more drama. The main aim of Shakespeare's

prologue was to grab the audience's attention.

In the opening scene Shakespeare uses talk of sex, " my naked weapon

is out," this is also quite comical and is used in conversation

between Sampson and Gregory. Sampson and Gregory are the Capulet's

guards and fit in with the codes and conventions of thugs, "I will

show myself a tyrant," suggests he is often violent and would be if

necessary, yet as the conversation progresses the audience is inclined

to believe that he can talk the talk but can't follow this through

with actions. Shakespeare creates the tension by using insults between

the Capulet and Montague guards, "I ...

... middle of paper ...

..., suggesting he feels isolated

and that no one can understand his present state. The victims of the

brawl pass Romeo and he reacts as if he ashamed that members of his

family are responsible for this. It is clear that Romeo is in love,

but the eccentricity of him allows for some comical elements,

accomplishing Shakespeare's targets.

The majority of people in today's society would probably find Luhrman

version more compelling to watch, as it is energetic, vibrant and

interesting from the start. Yet some people may prefer the traditional

version created by Zeffirelli. There is more reasons to comply with

Luhrman's productions fulfilling more of Shakespeare's aims, although

these are applied to a modern audience, where as Zeffirelli has tried

to complete them in a more authentic Elizabethan style setting and

manner.