The 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet is one of the best as it proves that Shakespeare can be updated no matter year or century. It is a modern version and a bit easier to understand than the book since it has been translated to modern English. The image photo is of Romeo and Juliet who loved each other deeply and no they believed that no man could put them asunder.
The image shows Romeo and Juliet when they first met in Capulet’s party. Romeo is dressed in blue attire while Juliet’s is red. They both appear to be doubtful and sexually attracted to each other. Their eyes are full of suspicion and doubt thus shading light that they are engaging in a forbidden act (Minami 26). They even shade tear to indicate the kind of affection that they had towards each other.
When Romeo first meets Juliet, he looks her with a romantic eye sending the message that he loved her. Juliet responds by a similar look and they become secret admirers. The image shows how facial expressions can be used to express feelings such as those of love. The image also makes viewers to formulate images of what will happen in their mind. It shows how feelings can lead an individual to fantasize. Romeo sees Juliet and immediately admires her. He wishes he could kiss her. They exchange vows of love and agree to marry the following day. Their accidental meeting further strengthens the point that their destiny shall be determined by fate.
Both Romeo and Juliet appear hiding their identities using masks. These shows that they were engaging in an act that is forbidden. That is why they did not want to be identified at first. They later realized that they belong to the two opposing families of Capulet and Montague. They were not supposed to engage and that’s why their love finally leads them to their deaths. The mask was therefore symbolic symbolizing that a secret deal is bound to fail.
Shakespeare uses light and darkness in images in the play. Romeo constantly refers to Juliet as the sun (light) and Juliet refers to Romeo as light that brings light in darkness (Campbell 11). She wants him to be cut into small stars when he dies so that he will be in love with the night. The darkness shields their love from the eyes of their families so that they may not get to know of it. When they met Romeo leaves Juliet before light comes and people get to know of their relationship since they may kill him. The darkness also shows the mystery and imaginations that surrounds their love. Sometimes, flash light passes through the image of Romeo and Juliet and disappears into the dusk. It shows the brilliant strength of the love as well as its transience. The darkness also shows that the love was bound to fail and it finally did.
The image gives viewers the idea of the setting of the movie. It presents a picture of the environment surrounding the play. The environment and setting is pitiful thus viewer can instantly know that all will not be well. From the image, viewers can be able to identify not only the setting of the book but also the overriding theme of the movie. The doubting looks of Romeo and Juliet were a clear symbolism of a doubtful romantic relationship which was never to succeed.
Works cited
Campbell, Norman, Megan Follows, Antoni Cimolino, Colm Feore, and William Shakespeare. Romeo & Juliet. St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada: Madacy Entertainment Group, 1996.
Minami, Ryuta, Ian Carruthers, and John Gillies. Performing Shakespeare in Japan. Cambridge, U.K: Cambridge University Press, 2001. Print.
