Compare the presentation of the theme of love at first sight in the play with the presentation of the same theme in an adaptation of the play

There are multiple scenes in act 1 scene 5 of Romeo and Juliet, where the theme of love at first sight is shown. This is shown using various poetic techniques, and by demonstrating that often love is stronger than many other emotions such as spite and revenge (seen in both the script and the film) Also, the script and film both have very different ways of presenting love at first sight, and while the film utilises the visual aspects of media, the script also has numerous powerful techniques such as the use of iambic pentameter, and sonnets.
At the beginning of scene 5, when Romeo first meets Juliet, there are many significant differences between the script and film (although there are also various similarities such as the meanings of love and its effects on both Romeo and Juliet. One major difference is that in the script Romeo meets Juliet first, which allows him to express his love for her to another person, and in this sense his language is different because it is much more practised and refined, whereas in the film, when they both meet at the same time, Romeo is literally rendered speechless as a result of their shock and surprise at each other’s beauty and their instant love for each other. The film also makes use of visual aspects because there is literally a physical barrier between R & J (the aquarium) which has in a way reinforces that although they both love each other, there is a constant force keeping them away (this changes later, for example into Tybalt). The film may have them both meeting together because it feels more like fate, and to a lesser extent, because it portrays both sexes as equal. In the script when Romeo sees Juliet he instantly forgets about Rosaline, who he was talking so passionately about earlier, showing that his emotion is so strong that he forgets about his current problems and situations. Romeo also describes Juliet as “A rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear”, meaning out of all the people at the party he notices her, which again reinforces the idea of destiny bringing them together. Overall both Romeo and Juliet are taken aback in the script and film, so much so that they go beyond their norm in expressing their emotions; the script sees Romeo using spiritual and courtly images, and the film sees them both silent able only to watch each other through the barrier keeping them apart. The barrier also leads to the reminder that they are kept back from each other (seen in the next scene as well).
Afterwards, Tybalt is seen as he spots Romeo, and in both the script and the film he expresses immediate discomfort and anger towards him. In the script he instantly remarks “fetch me my rapier, boy”. Before Tybalt even realises the Montague is Romeo, he is instantly ready to fight and kill him. This very dark and tense scene juxtaposes with the next scene as well, which exaggerates the love between R & J. When Tybalt talks about Romeo in the script as well, he uses many vulgar words, suggesting (unlike Romeo) he isn’t taking his time to think carefully of what to say and is acting mainly on impulse and instinct. In the film also, he is very rash, and his speeches are changed little (apart from him remarking he will get Romeo, which was moved into the film later, because it reminds the audience of the evil between R & J). He is also depicted as a devil in the film, and he wears a red horned costume which shows it’s as if he’s the ultimate evil and is out solely to get Romeo. Also, his ‘lackeys’ are wearing skeleton costumes which also suggests an imagery of death, and demise. This demonstrates the theme of love between R & J because it shows again that they were meant to be together, because there is a very strong force between them, as if it is a barrier they must overcome to be together forever. As mentioned, this also increases the effect of the next key scene.
When Romeo and Juliet first speak together the dialogue is changed little in the film and the script (although the film includes clever use of imagery and movement to show their love even stronger). This may be because the sonnets and speeches they both say convey, so strongly, they were meant to be together. For example in both the script and the film, Romeo responds to Juliet with much more ‘real’ and heartfelt speeches, unlike when he was talking about Rosaline, where he was using more typical and cliché sentences. For example, in the script, Romeo says “ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer” which shows a very clever response to what Juliet says, as if the conversation between them is fuelled by his love for her. In both the script and film, much spiritual language is used as well, for example the use of the words ‘holy shrine’, ‘saints’, and ‘sin’. Here Romeo describes Juliet as a holy shrine, suggesting she is very pure and ultimately perfect (and clear of sin). Also, the word ‘sin’ is sometimes used in a positive light, such as when Romeo says “Give me my sin again”, suggesting that even though Romeo realises it is a sin, his love for her compels him to do it again. In the script and film also, Juliet is very cautious careful, because she is wary of the consequences, as if she cannot believe she has met such a perfect character without any drawbacks (which she later realises isn’t the case). Romeo also uses multiple hyperboles suggesting he cannot express the magnitude of her attraction easily. Various barriers such as the lift also suggest that they can’t be together.
Later on when Romeo and Juliet realise they are parts of rival houses, their love is seen as even stronger. Romeo seems very rash about asking about Juliet, which in a way also shows he cannot believe her perfection. Juliet is more cautious because she is still wary of the situation. The nurse, when talking about Juliet, seems to commoditise her, saying she’s worth a lot, but Romeo clearly expresses that he is not interested in the wealth. In the film Romeo himself notices Juliet is a Capulet, and here in the film you can almost see his intimate sadness as he realises his love is from a rival. This shows his love because he doesn’t back down, he continues to try and be with her. Juliet also tries to be with Romeo continuously after finding out he’s a Montague. As seen after the scene, both Romeo and Juliet, while knowing of the grave consequences they may face, still try to be together because they both believe they are destined to be together and that they really did both love each other at first sight. In the film additionally, because both Romeo and Juliet notice each other’s roots, other figures such as the nurse are left out, so it is effectively only them two as the truth of their families dawns on them. This juxtaposes with the continuing scenes (when R & J try to be together) because their love is seen to prevail through the fear (of being in rival houses) and the acknowledgement of grave danger as a result. All in all their love is shown because even though they come to the heavy realisation that their families are at opposite sides ideologically, they continue to endeavour to be together.
In conclusion, throughout various parts of Act1 Scene 5, the barriers between R & J are shown but this only reinforces the theme of love, because icons of hate such as Tybalt are overcome by their sheer love, representing the idea of love overcoming hate. Furthermore, while both mediums choose to express the theme of love differently, the script utilising powerful descriptive and poetic techniques, and the film generally utilising the setting, visual aspects and music, both ultimately represent the theme of love at first sight as a powerful force, often overcoming and taking priority over current situations and emotions present in Romeo and Juliet.