Comparing+and+Contrasting+the+Balcony+Scene

In our English class, we are currently reading the famous play, Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The play has also been made into movies, and we got to watch a part of them. While I was watching the play, I noticed that while both movies and my promptbook was based on the same scene, there were definite differences between the three. Because all three versions are based on the same storyline, there are places where they overlap, especially in how the actors deliver their lines. For example, Romeo whispers almost through out the whole scene. He also seems very desperate and passionate when he is speaking to Juliet. Similar to how the directors of the two movies made Romeo carry an expression of love and passion, I also made Romeo have an affectionate expression on his face. The two movies also both give a feeling of fear and danger that Romeo and Juliet have of getting caught. Juliet also has some similarities in how she delivers her lines parts in certain parts of the movies and my promptbook. She sighs multiple times through out the whole time to show her concern and sorrow for loving a foe. However, sometimes she sighs because she is happy that Romeo is with her. I also noticed that Juliet puts pauses between certain phrases to create a dramatic effect. The most conspicuous of them all was in the very beginning of the scene, where Juliet says “nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face.” All three versions emphasized certain phrases such as, “Oh, Romeo, Romeo,” “Does thou love me?” and “O, swear not by the moon.” Although there were some similar parts, because the directors (including me for the promptbook!) interpreted the scene differently. The fact that one movie has a completely different setting was also probably a contribution to the differences. In Zeffereli’s version, I noticed that the actors speak more elegantly; they speak very quietly with a slight accent. They are also very calm and excited certain parts when delivering their lines. On the other hand, in the second movie, Juliet does not have an accent and she speaks relatively louder than in Zeffereli’s version. My Juliet is similar to Zeffereli’s except mine stays calm throughout the scene. Before watching the movie clips, I never realized that Juliet would be so excited in the scene. There were also vast differences in the setting of the scenes. Zeffereli used calm, soothing music in the beginning to create a dramatic but also a romantic atmosphere. On the other hand, there was hardly any music in the second movie that I had to watch the scene twice before noticing the music. I also considered putting in soothing, quiet, and romantic music to make the scene appear more passionate and romantic. Not only did I notice differences in the setting and music, I also noticed differences in the general atmosphere of the scenes. In the second movie, Romeo seems much more afraid and desperate than he is in Zeffereli’s version. This is probably because the second version had cameras and securities all over the mansion. The first movie has a more European and old feeling with a real high balcony and trees. The scene is very simple with not many props except maybe the tree that Romeo hangs on. However, the second director used very many props, such as a swimming pool, Christmas decorations, statues, and a window. Therefore, the second version seems modern and very different from Zaffereli’s version. My version of the scene was like Zaffereli’s where the scene takes place where Shakespeare intended it to take place. Although I’ve seen the modern version before and thought it was a good interpretation, I thought the old European atmosphere was much more suitable and romantic.