Character Development

The 1968 version of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet starring Leonard Whiting and Olivia Hussey casts the characters in a whimsical light. Juliet remains on the balcony while Romeo stands below. She is wearing a white, elegant gown and he is also dressed in very sophisticated apparel. Romeo’s tone is more persistent and fearless than Juliet’s quite-toned lines of hesitance.Juliet appears to be more realistic as her adoration for Romeo is overcast by fear for their safety. The characters remain at a distance from one another.

In the 1996 version of The Tragedy of  Romeo and Juliet starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, the characters are more sexualized as their balcony scene takes place in a swimming pool. Juliet is still wearing white; however, her apparel is soaked and form-fitting. The characters spend significantly more time embracing and kissing one another. Both Romeo and Juliet are dressed in a less extravagant wardrobe. The formality of the play is toned down drastically, likely aiming for a wider modern-minded audience.

In the 2013 version of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet starring Hailee Steinfeld and Douglas Booth, both characters display both modern and traditional characteristics. Juliet is wearing a white gown and Romeo returns to a sophisticated wardrobe similar to the 1986 version. The characters remain close to one another; however they do not embrace until the end of this scene. They appear to be pursuing one another equally with persistent eye contact.

Their lines are not carbon copies of Shakespeare’s words, yet, their dialogue remains lyrical. 

For example, in Shakespeare's play, Juliet says: 
But trust me gentleman, I'll prove more true
Than those who have more cunning to be strange.

In this scene, Juliet says:
Romeo trust me, and I will prove more true 
Than those who play the game with far more cunning wit. 

The dialogue has been altered to communicate a more modern tone; one which will likely be understood by a larger audience.

2007

Royal Ballet performance of The Tragedy of  Romeo and Juliet 

This is a different interpretation of The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet in which the characters use dance as a form of dialogue. Their actions are reminiscent of characters in the 1986 version of the movie. Romeo appears much more playful and persistent than Juliet with the energy of his dancing. The characters spend a fairly equal amount of time dancing together and separately. The couple is cheerfully smiling throughout the majority of the performance which conveys the appropriate whimsical and love-struck atmosphere. We included the analysis of this clip to compare and contrast the stage blocking and emotional expressions of Romeo and Juliet with and without dialogue.