Romeo And Juliet 1996 Vs 1996

Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare and later modernized by Baz Luhrmann as a film is a relevant piece of literature that examines the elements language, props, and costumes. The original play uses Shakespearean language, traditional props along with Elizabethan-styled clothing. The 1996 film by Baz Luhrmann and the written play by William Shakespeare are similar because Shakespearean language is used in both plays. They are different because, in the 1996 film, modern props and costumes were used while in the written play, it was traditional. The 1996 film is better because as the viewers watch, they can get a better understanding of the movie as it shows which scene has what settings. The 1996 film also shows the character’s emotions.
The 1996 film uses different props than the written play in order for this generation to understand the story of Romeo and Juliet better. The 1996 film uses modern props such as handguns. When Benvolio and Tybalt got in a fight at a gas station, they both used handguns to shoot at each other. (1.1) Also when Romeo drinks the poison he had bought from the apothecary and dies, Juliet takes his handgun and shoots herself in the head. (5.3) This shows that Baz Luhrmann modernized the props for the viewers to understand Romeo and Juliet in a more superior way. The written play uses traditional props such as old-fashioned weapons. In the opening scene, when Benvolio and Tybalt get in a fight on the street of Verona, not in a gas station, they both use swords instead of handguns. Benvolio says to Tybalt, “Put up your swords. You know not what you do.” (1.1.61) Also when Juliet finds Romeo dead, she takes his dagger and stabs herself in the chest instead of shooting herself in the head with a handgun. (5.3) This shows guns weren’t widely used back then since it was not a handy tool like it is today. Shakespeare probably knew about them as most people did in London, but chose not to use them and stick with the traditional