Romeo
and Juliet – 1996
Baz
Luhrmann
...
The Balcony Scene
...
Camera Angles – Luhrmann
uses an establishing shot
with his mise-en-scene
and we see the wonderfully elaborate courtyard, complete with Renaissance
statues, fairy lights, ornate pillars and a decadent pool, symbolising the
wealth and influence of the Capulet family.
Luhrmann is careful not to stray too far from
Shakespeare’s classic romantic scene; while Shakespeare presents Juliet on a
balcony out of reach of Romeo, Luhrmann has the two young lovers side-by-side.
However, when Juliet climbs the stairs back to her balcony, Luhrmann uses contrasting low and high camera
angles to engage the audience and make us feel as if we are both by the
pool with Romeo and up above with Juliet. The big close-ups on the “star cross’d lovers” faces
highlight their infatuation with each other.
Lighting – As it is night,
the courtyard is only lit up by several spotlights that give a soft and romantic glow to the
pool and surrounds. Luhrmann combines clever symbolism with this lighting as he uses fairy lights to make the
courtyard almost look like heaven, with thousands of stars shining brightly
above.
Costume/Make-Up –
Luhrmann cleverly dresses Romeo as a Knight in armour and has Juliet depicted as an angel. It is almost as if
Romeo is rescuing Juliet from her inevitable marriage to Paris, like the
proverbial ‘knight in shining armour’. Reflective of her age and innocence,
Juliet is shown to the audience as an angel; while her wings have been removed
since the party, she is still dressed in white, representing the ideals of purity, youth and love.
Sound/Music
– As
the young lovers begin to divulge their feelings and exchange “thy love’s
faithful vows”, Luhrmann uses romantic music with classical violins and piano to the tune of Desiree’s ‘Kissing You’. The subsequent atmosphere created is
one of romance, lust and excitement, representing the feelings of Romeo and
Juliet.
Symbolism
– All
around the Capulet’s pool are Renaissance statues of angels, gods and other naked
nymphs. This symbolises
the period in the 15th and 16th Century where romantic
pursuits such as art, music and love were more highly valued than money and
business. Romeo and Juliet are seen as “deny[ing] thy father” and engorging
themselves in a world where their young love is more important than anything
else in the world.
The pool itself is seen as a symbol of purity and rebirth. As the two
lovers fall into the pool, it is symbolic of their cleansing; Romeo rids the memories of Rosaline
from his heart and Juliet clears her mind of Paris. With their minds clear,
their love is ‘born’ and the couple kiss in the pool.
But what about Dialogue?
Find 5 quotes from each of the two lovers that speaks about the themes
of love and feuding families.
Romeo:
ReplyDelete• “ Oh, there’s my lady! Oh, it is my love. Oh, I wish she knew how much I love her.” (Love)
• “Look how she leans her hand on her cheek. Oh, I wish I was the glove on that hand so that I could touch that cheek.” (Love)
• “O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art, As glorious to this night, being o'er my head, As is a wingèd messenger of heaven Unto the white, upturnèd, wondering eyes” (Love)
• “ I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo.” (Love)
• I know not how to tell thee who I am. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself Because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word. (Feuding families)
Juliet:
• “Oh, Romeo, Romeo, why do you have to be Romeo? Forget about your father and change your name. Or else, if you won’t change your name, just swear you love me and I’ll stop being a Capulet.” (Feuding Families)
• It’s only your name that’s my enemy. You’d still be yourself even if you stopped being a Montague. (Feuding Families)
• Romeo, doff thy name, and for that name, which is no part of thee. Take all myself. (Feuding Families)
• In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, and therefore thou mayst think my 'havior light. But trust me, gentleman, I’ll prove more true, than those that have more coying to be strange. (Love)
• May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest, come to thy heart as that within my breast. (Love)
“It is the east, and Juliet is the sun. Arise fair sun, and kill the envious moon”
ReplyDelete“The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars”
“O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art As glorious to this night”
“I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo.”
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself Because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word.
Juliet
“Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part Belonging to a man.”
“O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.”
“Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say “ay,” And I will take thy word. Yet if thou swear’st Thou mayst prove false.”
“I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, And yet I would it were to give again.”
“Romeo, doff thy name, And for that name, which is no part of thee Take all myself.”
R#1 What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
ReplyDeleteThe brightness of her cheek would shame those stars
R#2 See how she leans her cheek upon her hand.
Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek!
R#3 Her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
R#4 With love’s light wings did I over perch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
R#5 My life were better ended by their hate
Than death prorogued, wanting of thy love.
J#1 O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
J#2 So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called,
Retain that dear perfection which he owes
J#3 and the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
J#4 Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
J#5 I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
And yet I would it were to give again.
Romeo
ReplyDelete1: O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a wingèd messenger of heaven
2: By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
3:As daylight doth a lamp. Her eye in heaven
Would through the airy region stream so bright
4:I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized.
5: With love’s light wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
Juliet
1:Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
2:Dost thou love me? I know thou wilt say “ay,”
And I will take thy word.
3:O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
4: Hist! Romeo, hist!—Oh, for a falconer’s voice,
To lure this tassel-gentle back again!
5:My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
Andy Pavlou
Romeo – “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”
ReplyDelete“O, speak again, bright angel!”
“With love’s light wings did I o'erperch these walls”
“I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.”
“By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.”
Juliet- “Tis but thy name that is my enemy.”
“And not impute this yielding to light love,
Which the dark night hath so discovered.”
“O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon,
That monthly changes in her circle orb,
Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.”
“Therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love,
Which the dark night hath so discovered.”
“My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?”
ReplyDeleteRomeo-
1. Oh, it is my love.
Oh, that she knew she were!
2. I take thee at thy word.
Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized.
Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
3. With love’s light wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do, that dares love attempt.
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
4. I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes,
And but thou love me, let them find me here.
My life were better ended by their hate
Than death proroguèd, wanting of thy love.
5. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
I am no pilot. Yet, wert thou as far
As that vast shore washed with the farthest sea,
I would adventure for such merchandise.
Juliet
1. O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
2. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man. O, be some other name!
What’s in a name?
3. And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
4. I would not for the world they saw thee here.
5. Three words, dear Romeo, and good night indeed.
If that thy bent of love be honorable,
Thy purpose marriage, send me word tomorrow
Romeo Quotes:
ReplyDeleteOh, there’s my lady! Oh, it is my love.
Oh, I wish she knew how much I love her.
Oh, I wish I was the glove on that hand so that I could touch that cheek.
If her eyes were in the night sky, they would shine so brightly through space that birds would start singing, thinking her light was the light of day.
I flew over these walls with the light wings of love. Stonewalls can’t keep love out.
Juliet Quotes:
Or else, if you won’t change your name, just swear you love me and I’ll stop being a Capulet.
Do you love me? I know you’ll say “yes,” and I’ll believe you.
This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
And yet I would it were to give again.
My love as deep. The more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
Romeo:
ReplyDelete1. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
2. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.
3. “It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.”
4. With love’s light wings did I perch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
5. I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
Juliet:
1. O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.”
2. Well, do not swear. Although I joy in thee,
I have no joy of this contract tonight.
3. O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
4. My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
5. And the place death, considering who thou art,
If any of my kinsmen find thee here.
Juliet:
Delete'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague?
Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand
That I might touch that cheek!
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound.
Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?
O gentle Romeo,
If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully.
Or if thou think’st I am too quickly won,
I’ll frown and be perverse and say thee nay,
So thou wilt woo.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
And yet I would it were to give again.
Romeo:
With love’s light wings did I o'erperch these walls,
For stony limits cannot hold love out,
And what love can do, that dares love attempt.
Therefore thy kinsmen are no stop to me.
Love showed me the way—the same thing that made me look for you in the first place.
O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art
As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
As is a wingèd messenger of heaven
Unto the white
Alack, there lies more peril in thine eye
Than twenty of their swords. Look thou but sweet,
And I am proof against their enmity.
1. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet. JULIET
ReplyDelete2. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo. ROMEO
3. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself Because it is an enemy to thee. ROMEO
4. I have night’s cloak to hide me from their eyes, And but thou love me, let them find me here. ROMEO
5. By love, that first did prompt me to inquire. He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes. ROMEO
6. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. JULIET
7. That monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable. JULIET
8. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. JULIET
9. And what love can do, that dares love attempt. ROMEO
10. Therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered. JULIET
Romeo:
ReplyDelete1. It is the east, and Juliet is the sun.
2. Her eye in heaven Would through the airy region stream so bright
That birds would sing and think it were not night.
3. O, speak again, bright angel!
4. Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.
5. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!
Juliet:
1. O Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo?
2. I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
And yet I would it were to give again.
3. My love as deep. The more I give to thee,
The more I have, for both are infinite.
4. If thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
5.This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath,
May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet.
Romeo:
ReplyDelete1. I am too bold. 'Tis not to me she speaks. Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, Having some business, do entreat her eyes
2. See how she leans her cheek upon her hand. Oh, that I were a glove upon that hand that I might touch that cheek!
3. O, speak again, bright angel! For thou art As glorious to this night, being o'er my head,
4. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized. Henceforth I never will be Romeo.
5. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself because it is an enemy to thee. Had I it written, I would tear the word.
Juliet:
1. Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse thy name. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
2. 'Tis but thy name that is my enemy. Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
3. My true love’s passion. Therefore pardon me, and not impute this yielding to light love, which the dark night hath so discovered.
4. This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower when next we meet. Good night, good night! As sweet repose and rest Come to thy heart as that within my breast.
5. My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep. The more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.
George
ReplyDeleteJuliet.'
Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
By a name I know not how to tell thee who I am.
My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself
Because it is an enemy to thee.
If they do see thee they will murder thee.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it,
And yet I would it were to give again.
I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu.—
Anon, good Nurse!
Romeo
O blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard,
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too flattering sweet to be substantial.
O blessèd, blessèd night! I am afeard,
Being in night, all this is but a dream,
Too flattering sweet to be substantial.
It is my soul that calls upon my name.
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night,
Like softest music to attending ears!
I would I were thy bird.
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast.
Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest.
Romeo:
ReplyDelete1. I take thee at thy word. Call me but love, and I’ll be new baptized.
2. My name, dear saint, is hateful to myself
3. Had I it written, I would tear the word.
4. With love’s light wings did I o'erperch these walls, For stony limits cannot hold love out
5. And what love can do, that dares love attempt.
Juliet:
1. Or, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet
2. Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
3. thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
4. What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man.
5. Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.
Juliet
ReplyDelete1.
'Tis but thy name that is my enemy.
Thou art thyself, though not a Montague.
What’s Montague?
2.
if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.
3. Deny thy father and refuse thy name.
4.
What’s Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot,
Nor arm, nor face, nor any other part
Belonging to a man.
5.
My ears have not yet drunk a hundred words
Of that tongue’s uttering, yet I know the sound.
Juliet
ReplyDeleteOr, if thou wilt not, be but sworn my love,
And I’ll no longer be a Capulet. : Juliet (love)
If they do see thee they will murder thee. :Juliet (Family )
By love, that first did prompt me to inquire.
If they do see thee they will murder thee.
I gave thee mine before thou didst request it, And yet I would it were to give again.
I hear some noise within. Dear love, adieu.—Anon, good Nurse!
Romeo
He lent me counsel and I lent him eyes.:Romeo (love)
Th' exchange of thy love’s faithful vow for mine.:Romeo (love)
It is my soul that calls upon my name. How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues by night, Like softest music to attending ears!
I would I were thy bird.
Sleep dwell upon thine eyes, peace in thy breast. Would I were sleep and peace, so sweet to rest.