Tag: DeCaprio

I have finished acts 2 and 3, watched 2 versions of the death scenes, and taken my impressions. I am beginning to see why Shakespeare is so famous and I find myself throwing “doth” into random sentences. I’m afraid there is no going back.

First Impressions- Again!

Ladies and Gentleman, things are getting serious, like people are dying serous. But love first I guess. One of the main scenes features Juliet speaking aloud into the night about her new love. “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.” Juliet sings into the dark air.

Romeo not to be outdone by that display, Romeo speaks back, “I trust your words. Just call me your love, and I will take a new name. From now on I will never be Romeo again.” Now maybe it was the both of them casting their names into the fire of love, or the wine at that party, but the lovers agree to marry.

My impressions of this scene, even if you have never seen it referenced, you would know it was iconic. Half of my heart is in love with this scene, and the other half begs to call a relationship counselor. I feel the love they have, I recognize the desire to carve their love in the stone of marriage, I feel for the lovers.

On the other hand, have you check the clock kids? Its been 48 hours since the lovers have MET, and now they are to marry! The hatred of their families is by far a more driving force then the love they share, so that helps facilitate the crazy situation.

I have to address the 2 deaths we saw in this section. First, Tibalt and Marcucio engage in a, frankly silly duel in nature, and it is clear no one is meant to die. However Romeo, sick in the head with his 48 hour love cold, attempts to hold back Marcucio. This turns the friendly squabble into a homicide when Mercutio is stabbed, tragic tragic tragic.

Romeo, now all consumed with the murder he has caused, charges with death in his eyes for Tibalt. Now I was wondering through my first run through, “Is the murder of Tybalt really worth it to Romeo?” But it is, Romeo must feel guilt for the murder he has caused, and it back to justify it in his own mind. After a dramatic scene in all renditions, Romeo takes the life option and serves Tibalt a fresh serving of death by blade, tragic.

Now Romeo faces banishment and separation from his new love, leaving his in a rough situation. Friar Laurence is continuing to help Romeo on his crazy quest of love, he suggests Romeo and Juliet should run away together.

Romeo and Hate:

Hate drive a massive portion of our story, especially with the young lovers. Romeo is no exception to the hate that runs through their families. Romeo and Juliet both make a public display of casting out their family names in defiance. Their hate is a massive part of their decision to get married in full response to the feud of their families.

Hate also drives Romeo to murder. He does this, of course in response to another murder (Thanks Shakespeare). The hatred of Tybalt after Mercutio is killed drives the dramatic battle in which Romeo makes it clear that is hate is so strong that, even if it is him, someone will die in this duel. This bit of hate is the straw that broke the camel’s back because Romeo is now soon to be banished. This is important because it sets a ticking time bomb to our story. Romeo has limited time to flee the city, and he wants to go with Juliet, or go out in a body-bag.

Mercutio and Tybalt- “Another One Bites The Dust”

Now we must focus on the two deaths we saw in the Act. Both were directly or indirectly roped into Romeo, lover boy turned homicidal maniac. First, a duel merely to blow off some steam turned deadly after Romeo attempted to end the mostly harmless duel. Romeo attempted to hold back Marcucio in order to end the harmless conflict, instead he set in motion a domino effect that would in turn have Tibalt die under the vengeful sword of Romeo.

I believe that they are both equally to blame, because Tybalt was looking for a fight, but Mercutio was more then willing to duel. Not to mention, both me were not looking to kill, it is clear that without intervention both men would have survived. Both characters were somewhat likable, so why kill them off? That answer, to set forth the domino effect. It takes a massive event to set this play in motion to the point of a double suicide, so two deaths, on at the hand of the lead was 100% necessary.

Movie Renderings

I found that the Luhrmann adaptation of the scene best represented the hate, anger, and rash decision making of Romeo. The transition of a sunny day on the beach to Tybalt taking a bullet on the street in the pouring rain really show Romeo’s progression of anger.

The second scene also shows the regret and understanding that barely come off of Tybalt. He has a gun, so does Romeo, but even after being charger, he does not fire. He understands that what he did was a terrible accident and it seems that he has no real desire to kill Romeo. However Romeo has other plans and takes swift revenge.