SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

EXTRACT FROM ROMEO AND JULIET BY F. ZEFFIRELLI

THE BALCONY SCENE
Watch this extract from Romeo and Juliet, by F. Zeffirelli and answer the following questions.
(41 : 57 52 : 50)
1) Where and when is the scene set ? Say briefly what happens during the scene.
It is in the Capulets' orchard. It takes place after the feast during which Romeo and Juliet have met
and have fallen in love. It is set at night (since Romeo and Juliet's love can only flourish at night,
and since they can't openly live their passion in the daytime).
Juliet appears on the balcony and- as she thinks no one can listen to her - professes her love for
Romeo. Romeo then steps from the darkness and he answers her back. The two lovers share a
passionate speech during which they both reveal their feelings and they finally agree to get married
very soon. As their feelings are really powerful, they have great difficulties to part.
2) How is the two lovers' passion presented ?
First, their passion is presented through their speech. The langage is highly romantic. Romeo uses a
hyperbolic tone to describe his lady. Both lovers' speech is passionate. They are ready to defy the
codes of their society and the rules established by their families ( doff thy name , deny thy
father and refuse thy name). Their attitude is bold, it is as if nothing could prevent them from
living their love. It is as if their love made them strong enough to defy the entire world.
Then the two lovers passionately kiss several times. Romeo climbs up a tree to reach Juliet and kiss
her.
Finally, it is extemely difficult and painful for them to leave each other.
3) Watch the end of the scene. How important is the role of the lovers' hands ?
Juliet repeats the gesture they had during the dance, that is to say showing her palm to Romeo. Both
touch each other with their palms, a way of uniting each other. This gesture is also a remembrance
of Romeo's first words to Juliet.
At the end, when Romeo and Juliet leave each other, the camera focusses on their parting hands. It
is a way of highlighting their separation. They stay together until their fingers can't touch any more,
so they delay as much as they can the moment when they have to leave each other. Moreover, this
can be a way of repeating the role played by their hands as shown is tne masque scene (when they
meet).

SEQUENCE : ROMEO AND JULIET, A SHAKESPEARIAN TRAGEDY

EXTRACT FROM ROMEO AND JULIET BY F. ZEFFIRELLI
THE BALCONY SCENE
Watch this extract from Romeo and Juliet, by F. Zeffirelli and answer the following questions.
1) Where and when is the scene set ? Say briefly what happens during the scene.

2) How is the two lovers' passion presented ?

3) Watch the end of the scene. How important is the role of the lovers' hands ?