The Symbolism Of Water In Romeo And Juliet

Cara Van Gieson

The Shakespearean tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, is arguably the most iconic piece of literature and has withstood the test of time. In 1996 Baz Luhrmann directed his adaptation of this incredibly recognizable work, starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Claire Danes as Juliet, and setting his story in the modern day in a fictional city, Verona Beach. Along with these changes to the source material, Luhrmann adds a recurring motif, water, which constantly persists in Romeo + Juliet. Although this addition to the film may not be noticeable at first blush, the way water is used as a symbol in the movie is significant and carefully thought out by the filmmakers. In Romeo + Juliet, water is metaphorically representative of a turning

It starts with Romeo, who had been sobering up in the Capulet House’s bathroom, splashing water on himself. He turns around and notices an in-wall aquarium that provides a view into the next room. He curiously watches the fish swim around and looks up to see Juliet standing there, looking at him. This depicts how water is a metaphor for turning points in the film, as this interaction between Romeo and Juliet is the first of the movie, and their first view of each other from between a tank, filled with water. This moment is the catalyst for the rest of the plot, and the two lovers immediately fall in love, showing how this moment was one of instantaneous and dramatic change for

After Juliet's father berates her for rejecting his plan for her marriage, Juliet seeks comfort from the Nurse, whom she sees as a surrogate mother figure. Instead of doing this, the Nurse tells her she should go along with her father's wishes and completely forget about Romeo. Juliet feels deeply hurt and betrayed by the Nurse, but pretends to agree with what she says. During this scene, as the Nurse says her piece, she is drawing Juliet a bath. This demonstrates how water is meant to represent a turning point in the story, as in this scene Juliet’s affection for the Nurse dissipates; from her perspective, the Nurse has gone from an ally to an enemy, and Juliet feels that everyone, even the person who supported her the most, has turned on her. These feelings push Juliet to become more desperate than ever, and in this hopeless moment, the Nurse, the betrayer, fills Juliet’s bathtub with