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Romeo and Juliet Chapter 14
Romeo and Juliet
Chapter 14
Background ROMEO AND JULIET is the least Aristotelian of
the tragedies. It does end unhappily, but shares many traits of comedy--especially the exploration of romantic love
Romeo and Juliet is dated 1594-96 because the first quarto was published in 1597
Romeo and Juliet are young lovers...she just 14. He is a bit older, changeable as his momentary infatuation with Rosaline demonstrates.
Sources
The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet (1562)Sleeping potion element from a romance by Xenophon of EphesusIl novellino by Masuccio of SalernoPyramus and Thisbe from Ovid’s Metamorphoses
Language and structure
...the play’s structure contrasts violent enmity with passionate love and scenes of public brawling...The death of Mercutio and Romeo’s slaying of Tybalt change the course of the play
THEMES AND ISSUESin ROMEO & JULIET
O’erhasty marriages Passion and Impetuousness One pattern of imagery in the play suggests a
theme of sudden and violent actions--fire, gunpowder, hot blood, lightning and the stormy sea
Blood fueds: Self-perpetuating revenge The mindless feuding of the two families is so
ancient that we never learn its cause, only its consequences
Shakespeare creates three large public scenes which contrast strongly with the private scenes
Fortune’s Fools: Tragic Heroes or
Victims
The star-crossed lovers are more than mere victims...they are active participants and responsible for the choices they make.
Personal identity and women’s roles
In the 16th century, women were viewed much differently than today
A woman’s identity derived almost exclusively from her relationship to her father or her husband
The play depicts a young woman who has become an “autonomous desiring self” is a radical statement of romantic individualism within patriarchal culture
This contrasts to Romeo whose ties are to his mates. Juliet’s ties are to her family.
STAGING CHALLENGES The play is a challenge for producers: It has a large cast, many props, a good deal of physical action and specific staging requirements…
Duels and swordplay Included in the text despite Tudor edicts against street fighting
Two hour’s traffic The action is compressed to little more than 4
days
The Tomb Scene The Tomb Scene poses several challenges and problems, not the least of which is the fight between Romeo and Paris (omitted from the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann films)
ROMEO AND
JULIET onstage
The Elizabethan Era featured Swift Transitions, performed on an open platform without scenery. The structure of the play required a large forestage for the swordplay...and the gallery and inner below...the forty speaking roles required double casting.
The Restoration & 18th Century
featured many productions of the play...it was among the first to be revived after the Civil War.
In 1662, a production—viewed viewed by Samuel Pepys—was staged at Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
The most memorable productions were those of David Garrick whose productions were popular at Drury Lane and Covent Garden from 1748-1778.
James Howard turned the play into a tragi-comedy allowing the lovers to live. David Garrick and George Anne Bellamy
The 19th Century Breeches Romeos
and Admired Juliets Several actresses
emerged as memorable Juliets, notably Maria Isabella Nossiter at Drury Lane in 1753
In the Romantic Age, Eliza O’Neill was a famous Juliet
Charlotte Cushman The American
actress Charlotte Cushman played Romeo to her sister Susan’s Juliet from 1837-1860. She started a vogue for “breeches” Romeos
The 20th Century Romeo and Mercutio Return
In his famous 1935 production at the Old Vic, John Gielgud alternated with Laurence Olivier in the roles of Romeo and Mercutio. Peggy Ashcroft played Juliet and Edith Evans was the Nurse...The production is noted for its simple staging and its Italian Renaissance design...In 1947, Peter Brook staged a memorable production with a young cast...
OLD VIC 1960The 1960 Franco Zefferilli production at the Old Vic became the basis for his 1968 film
It was strongly influenced by LOOK BACK IN ANGER (1956) and WEST SIDE STORY (1957)
Mercutio was characterized as the angry young man
Like the film it influenced, it was noted for its youthful cast and visual realism...
RSC 1986A memorable 1986 production directed by Michael Bogdanov at the RSC was set in contemporary Italy. The Montagues and Capulets were presented as warring crime families.
Broadway 2013
ROMEO AND JULIET ON FILM AND TELEVISION
MGM 1936 The George Cukor film featured Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer.
1954Renato Castellani, director Laurence Harvey and Susan Shentall were the loversJohn Gielgud was “The Chorus”
1968Franco Zeffirelli, director with Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey. Laurence Olivier was the uncredited voice of the narrator.
1976Thames Television (UK) with Joan Kemp-Welch, director. Christopher Neame and Ann Hasson as Romeo and Juliet.
BBC 1978 Alvin Rakoff, director with Patrick Ryecart &
Rebecca Saire…John Gielgud as Chorus.
1997 Baz Luhrmann directed Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
The lovers first kiss. (Pictured Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.
Julian Fellowes adaptation, 2013
Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth
FAMOUS SPIN-OFFS Romeo and Juliet (ballet)
San Francisco Ballet - 2015
WEST SIDE STORY
National Touring Production 2012
Shakespeare in Love -1998
