Romeo and Juliet

Have you ever read the classic play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, by William

Shakespeare? Many movies have come from the play, but none have ever told the story

exactly like William Shakespeare. One of these movies was made in 1996 by Baz

Luhrman called, William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Between the movie and the

play, there are many similarities and differences including the variations between Friar

Laurence, Lord Capulet, and Mercutio.

While looking at Shakespeare's character Friar Laurence, one witnesses many

similarities and differences between the classic play, and the 1996 movie version. First of

all, Friar Laurence is basically the same person in both the movie and play. One similarity

is in Act II, scene iii, concerning Friar Lawrence's fascination of plants and herbs. This

scene in the movie starts out with Friar clutching plants in his hands and telling about their

unique qualities. In this same situation in the play, the Friar says, "Within the infant rind

of this small flower poison hath residence, and medicine power; For this, being smelt,

with that part cheers each part" (85). This line explains how a flower can be good and

bad; it also shows Friar Laurence's brilliance because he tells how one flower can have

poisin in it and medicine. I believe this was an essential scene to include in the movie

because it shows Friar Laurence's knowledge about the qualities of plants. However,

not only are there similarities between the play and the movie, but there are also

differences. One instance was in Act II, scene i, when Friar was overlooking his plants.

In the play, Friar is in his garden gathering many special plants for uses unknown.

However, in the movie Friar is in the church looking at a small number of plants. I feel the

movie needed to include more plants around Friar because Friar is supposed to know a

great deal about plants and herbs; unfortunately this was not included in the movie.

Likewise, in the movie, Friar Laurence's concern with Romeo in Act III, Scene iii,

is represented well. In this scene, Romeo confronts Friar Laurence about his banishment,

and tells Friar that death is better then banishment. Friar then tells Romeo, "Hence from

Verona art thou banished. Be patient, for the world is broad and wide" (141). In this

small statement, Friar tells Romeo that Verona is just a small place in this whole extensive

world. This scene in the movie is very close to that in the play because the exact same

words are said. The only problem the movie had with this scene is, there are a lot of lines

left out that show how angry Friar is at Romeo. One line in particular that the movie fails

to show is when Friar is yelling at Romeo saying, "Thy fault our law calls death; but the

kind Prince, taking thy part, hath rushed aside the law, and turned that black word death

to banishment" (141). Friar Laurence is trying to tell Romeo that by killing Tybalt he

should be put to death, according to the law, but the Prince has shown Romeo mercy, and

Romeo isn't appreciative of it. Therefore, this scene is not as spectacular as it could have

been with the inclusion of those words of wisdom.

The movie Romeo and Juliet shows even more similarities between the two of the

Friars. In the movie, Act IIII scenne, Friar is shown deeply concerned about Juliet's threat

to commit suicide. Friar swiftly reacts to the situation by saying the same lines as in the

play, "Hold daughter, I do spy a kind of hope, which craves as desperate an execution as

that is desperate which we would prevent. If, rather than to marry County Paris, thou hast

the strength of will to slay thyself, then it is likely thou wit undertake a thing like death to

chide away this shame" (179-181). Friar Laurence also says, " And if thou darest, I'll give

thee remedy" (181). These lines are specific examples the movie used from the play to

inform the readers that Friar has come up with a plan. This is an essential scene the movie

includs because, without it, the audience would not know about Friar's plan to put Juliet

into a deep sleep for forty-two hours. Yet this scene in the movie, has many differences

also. For example, in the play, after Juliet is found dead, Friar comforts the horrified

family. The Friar says, " Peace, ho, shame! Confusions cure lives not in these confusions.

Heaven and yourself had part in this fair maid! Your part in her you could not keep from

death, but heavens keep his part in eternal life" (201). What Friar Laurence means by this

is that Juliet is in a better place, heaven and nothing could be better than that. The movie

needed to include this small scene, because it showed how Friar Laurence portrayed a

Godly man, which he was supposed to be.

Not only are there many similarities and differences between Friar Laurence in the

movie and the play, but also between the two Lord Capulets. One similarity between them

can be seen when Lord Capulet has a party for his family and friends in Act I scene v.

Romeo and his friends attend the party in disguise to look at women, even though they are

Montagues, and huge enemies. Tybalt, a boasting relative of Lord Capulet spots Romeo

and says to his servant, "Fetch me my rapier, boy. What, dares the slave come hither,

covered with and antic face, to fleer and scorn at our solemnity?" (55). This line reveals

Tybalt's rage for a Montage being at a Capulets' party. Lord Capulet then talks to Tybalt

and finds him in rage. Lord Capulet gets angry at Tybalt for wanting to fight Romeo and

fears if he starts a fight, his guests will get angry at him and leave. He also tells Tybalt,

"Verona brags of him to be a virtuous and well-governed youth" (57). Here, Lord

Capulet tells Tybalt not to worry about Romeo starting havoc, because he, Romeo, has a

reputation of being well-mannered. I feel this scene is extremely important because it

shows how concerned Lord Capulat is for his guests. It also shows Lord Capulet's way of

control. He tells Tybalt not to start a fight, and he obeys powerful Capulet. I also feel this

part of Capulet's character is represented very nicely. Eventhough there are manily

similarities about Lord Capulet, there are some differences. One difference is that in the

small disagreement between Capulate and Tybalt, the movie did not include many lines

from the play. An example from the play is when Capulate yells, "You are a saucy boy.

Is't so, indeed? This trick make me scathe you." (57). I feel this line needed to be

included in the movie because it displays Capulate's hot temper. Another difference in the

movie is when Capulet strikes Tybalt with anger. In the play, Capulet never strikes

anyone, but shows great anger. I feel the movie included Capulet punching Tybalt

because he is very angry, and looks like he is ready to fight.

In addition to the similarities of Lord Capulet's anger with Tybalt, is the similarity

of Capulet's anger with Juliet. In Act III, Scene v, Lord Capulet has his wife, Lady

Capulet, inform Juliet that she will marry a man named Paris. Juliet says she will not

marry Paris, and her father reacts by yelling, "Is she not proud? Doth she not count her

blest, unworthy as she is, that we have wrought so worthy a gentleman to be her

bridegroom?" (167). Lord Capulet is confused about Juliet's unwillingness to marry Paris,

and asks why she can't be happy to marry a fine man like Paris. This scene is great in the

play because it shows how Lord Capulet's temper rages. Also exhibited is how he now

hates his daughter because she won't obey him. But despite the many similarities between

the movie and the play regarding Lord Capulet, there are few differences. One of the

differences, though, is in Act III, scene iv when Paris visits the Capulets' while they are

mourning Tybalt's death. Lord Capulet decides that Paris should marry Juliet. In the

movie, this scene shows Lord Capulet holding liquor and acting drunk. He has trouble

talking and is shaky from alcohol. When he decides it is now all right for Paris to marry

Juliet, he gives the impression he is doing this because he is not thinking straight. He says,

"Wife, go you to her ere you go to bed; Acquaint her here of my son Paris' love and bid

her (mark you me?) on Wednesday next-but soft!" (153). In the play, Capulet also orders

his wife to tell Juliet she has to marry Paris, but he has no trouble saying it, and the words

are not slurred, like in the movie. He is in complete control, therefore, this scene is not

represented well in the movie; the alcohol makes Lord Capulet's decision look like it was

from being drunk.

Next, while looking at Shakespeare's character Mercutio, you will find many

similarities in both the play and the movie. An example of the similarities is in Act III,

scene i. Where Tybalt is looking for Romeo on the streets of Verona. When Tybalt sees

Romeo's friends, he says, "Gentlemen, good den. A word with one of you." (117). After

this gentle greeting, Mercutio replies, "And but one word with one of us? Couple it with

something; make it a word and a blow." (117). In this line Mercutio tells Tybalt to add a

punch to whatever he has to say. This small focus on Mercutio is essential to the movie

because he serious and sarcastic at the same time; this is keeping to his character traits.

Another instance that the movie represents well is the death of young Mercutio in Act III,

Scene i. After many words exchanged, Tybalt and Mercutio start throwing vicious

punches. Soon Mercutio is stabbed by Tybalt and is in severe pain. Mercutio looks at his

wound and instantly realizes he will soon die. Next, he jokes about this occurrence by

saying, "Ask for me tomorrow, and you shall find me a grave man." (123). This line is

also essential to include in the movie because it shows Mercutio keeping with character

and being sarcastic and humorous. This scene as a whole is represented well in the movie,

and follows the play closely. But as well as there being similarities in Mercutio between

the play and movie there are also many differences. A prime example of this is also in Act

III, scene i, when Mercutio is stabbed. In the movie, Mercutio is stabbed with a large

piece of sharp glass. However, the play tells that the two fighters draw their daggers.

This means they are fighting with swords. Later in the scene, the play says that Tybalt

reaches under Romeo's arm, and thrusts Mercutio. Instantly Mercutio says, "I am hurt"

(121). He is in severe pain. I think the movie is forced to use an object besides a sword

because this movie takes place in the 1990's, and no one uses swords to fight. I think the

movie had a creative way to stab Mercutio.

As you can see, everyone interprets William Shakespeare's work differently, and

Baz Luhrman's 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet is no exception. Throughout this movie

you will find many similarities and differences compared to Shakespeare's original version.

Despite the small changes, however, the main story about two-star-crossed lovers always

remains the same.