Performance Choices In Shakesphaere's Romeo And Juliet

There are many ways in which a text can be interpreted and when put onto the stage, the same lines can convey different messages and emotions as a result of different performance choices. This notion holds true for Shakesphaere's play, Romeo and Juliet as in act 3, scene 1, lines 58-61, actors for Romeo can utilize a more seething or diplomatic approach while performing the four line segments in which Romeo is conversing with Tybalt. Actors for Romeo can employ a seething performance of the four line segments as certain keywords when emphasized convey a sense of unexpressed annoyance and anger. For example, after having just been insulted by Tybalt, being called a villain, Romeo retorts, “‘Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee’” (Shakespeare

Hence, in order to convey this anger most effectively and in a sensible way, Romeo would emphasize Tybalt’s name with spite so as to illustrate his disdain. Now just stating Tybalt’s name with spite won’t be enough to emphasize and or convey the overall feeling of seethed rage adequately enough, so additional performance techniques should be utilized. In this case, Tybalt’s name should stand out as actors would ideally give a brief pause after stating his name so that the hostility of the current circumstance can fully seep into the audience and to draw in their attention. Romeo’s current sentiment of the situation can also be translated to the other remaining lines through the emphasis of certain words and phrases. For instance, after being accused by Tybalt, Romeo remarks, “...Villain am I none; / Therefore farewell’” (Shakespeare 60-61). Keeping in line with Romeo’s previous attitude in the first line, emphasizing the words villain and farewell with spite works best to continue the aggravated feelings. The emphasis of the word villain can be accomplished through having the actor once again giving a brief pause before

For example, after having just received a heated comment from Tybalt, Romeo reasons, “‘Tybalt, the reason that I have to love thee’” (Shakespeare 58). Knowing that Tybalt is in a state of rage, it would be sensible of Romeo to try and deescalate the situation, hence why actors of Romeo would employ a diplomatic tone. This can be achieved by having Romeo emphasize Tybalt’s name with a tone of gentleness, almost in a sympathetic way in order to calm Tybalt down. Additionally, a performance choice that can be used in order to further convey this interpretation is by having actors slow down the cadence of their delivery so as to express that Romeo truly wants Tybalt to understand the current situation. Even as the four line segment is concluding, actors can still utilize a diplomatic approach with the singling out of a specific phrase. For example, after having just reasoned with Tybalt about his intentions, Romeo concludes, “‘Therefore farewell…”’ (Shakespeare 61). Continuing with the attempts at not aggravating Tybalt any further, Romeo should conclude his conversation with him on a charismatic note. This can be achieved by once again delivering this phrase with a tone of kindness since this is generally the approach one would take when trying to deescalate a situation. Furthermore, this diplomatic approach can be furthered by having the actor for Romeo