Preview

Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1145 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay
Practice Essay Question
Due: Monday the 5th of November

What are the most important themes in Romeo and Juliet? Compare and contrast how these themes are represented in Shakespeare’s play and Lurhrman’s film adaptation.
In your answer: * Discuss 2 key themes * Consider which key characters embody these themes * Make detailed reference to at least 2 key scenes per theme * Highlight similarities AND differences between the film and the play * Discuss language, film and dramatic techniques

BODY:
Act 1, scene 1 – THEME: LOVE (compare Shakespeare and Luhrmann)
Act 2, Scene 2 – THEME: LOVE (compare Shakespeare and Luhrmann)
Act 1, Scene 1 – THEME: HATE (compare Shakespeare and Luhrmann)
Act 3, Scene 1 – THEME: …show more content…
Baz Luhrmann’s film adaptation (1996) makes the Elizabethan text accessible for a modern audience by focusing on the same key themes. Shakespeare’s use of dramatic techniques and luhrmann’s use of film devices represent the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet in an effective way.

The two contradicting key themes that are universal and significant to both the original play Romeo and Juliet composed by William Shakespeare and the modern execution in style of a movie directed by Baz Luhrmann are the themes of love and hate. These two themes can be drawn into relation with the characters of Romeo and Tybalt who effectively represent these themes through various language, film and dramatic techniques implemented by both …show more content…
In Luhrmann’s movie, Romeo is a very emotive character driven by love, which is depicted through lighting. In this particular scene, lighting along with slow camera movement is used as a method of portraying Romeo’s isolation and desolation through a visual of Romeo with his shadowy figure and back towards the sun blocking its rays, implementing this idea of Romeo’s own “artificial night” as described by his father. Whilst both Shakespeare and Luhrmann illustrate an undesirable portrayal of love in this particular scene, through the use of symbols, light imagery and hyperbolic language, both composers show a positive perception of the love between Romeo and
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay
    • 2003 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay

    In the opening scene of the modern adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet", the qualities of the feuding families: The Montagues and The Capulets are successfully exposed to the audience by the use of presentational devices. The director, Baz Luhrmann, has paid deliberate attention to these areas, which successfully portray the rival family member's temperaments. The use of different lighting, colour, music, sound effects, costume and make up are applied to represent the different families to show the distinction of the two. Areas such as framing, location, camera angle and movement help to express the diversity of the two families, making it apparent to the audience the existence of the two families resentment towards each other. This essay will…

    • 2003 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Appropriation of 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare and 'Romeo+Juliet' by Baz Luhrmann
    • 2536 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Appropriation of 'Romeo and Juliet' by Shakespeare and 'Romeo+Juliet' by Baz Luhrmann

    Discuss the appropriation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare and ‘Romeo+Juliet’ by Baz Luhrmann…

    • 2536 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Juliet Can Be Recontextualised
    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages

    How Juliet Can Be Recontextualised

    The original play by Shakespeare and Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s interpretation of the play are all different versions of the classical tragic story of Romeo and Juliet. When reading the play or seeing Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s film we can observe various differences between them. Juliet, being one of the dominating characters of this story can be seen to be recontextualised differently through her personality, looks and role in society.…

    • 896 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Comparative Analysis
    • 919 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Comparative Analysis

    The word panic comes from the greek word “panikos” which means “pertaining to Pan”. Pan is the greek god of shepherds, flocks, and forests.…

    • 919 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo And Juliet Vs Zeffirelli's
    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Romeo And Juliet Vs Zeffirelli's

    The Tragedy of Romeo & Juliet is the classic play written by William Shakespeare that follows two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, who are mortal enemies that fall in love with each other. The protagonists try to keep their love hidden from their families, but not forgotten by themselves. This play of love and passion has been prototyped countless times on the silver screen, as it is the greatest love story ever told. The most well-known movie versions of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Romeo And Juliet are Franco Zeffirelli’s (1968) Romeo and Juliet , and Baz Luhrmann's (1996) Romeo + Juliet. Both versions captured the main essence of the original play with Zefferelli's staying true to its source, while Luhrmann’s takes a more modern,…

    • 771 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet VS Gnomeo and Juliet
    • 751 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet VS Gnomeo and Juliet

    The famous play Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is the tale of two star-crossed lovers. Romeo, the only heir of Montague, falls in love with Juliet, the heiress of Capulet, but their love is forbidden due to a rivalry between houses resulting in a double suicide. Two adaptations of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are Asbury’s Gnomeo and Juliet (2011), portrayed as humorous through various film techniques, and Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996), portrayed as a tragedy through similar film techniques. This will be shown through the use of film techniques like language, camera angles and mise-en-scene.…

    • 751 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast Essay
    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast Essay

    Nowadays, it is almost impossible to revive old traditions from the past and appreciate them in our modern and exponential times. However, there still are possibilities to cherish some of the archaic literature today that were written so long ago. Celebrated as one of the greatest dramas of all time, Romeo and Juliet depicts a tragedy of two lovers who come from feuding families. The play was first written in the 1500s by William Shakespeare. Almost four-hundred years later, the tragic play was made into a movie in 1968 by Franco Zeffirelli. There are similarities in props and scenes, and distinctions between the original play and the 1968 movie considering the moods and plot details. Either way, the play and the 1968 movie both have glorious presentations.…

    • 701 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet Comparison Essay
    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet Comparison Essay

    In the play Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, Benvolio is more civilized than Tybalt. To begin, Benvolio is respectful towards his kin. In a conversation with Montague, Benvolio wishes that “[his] noble uncle…so please [himself], step aside” (Shakespeare 1.1.140-153). Benvolio addresses his uncle with the utmost respect and politeness, depicting his civilized nature. Next, Benvolio tries to avoid violence. Upon seeing a fight, Benvolio intervenes to try and “put up [their] swords” (1.1.63). Benvolio’s trying to avoid a conflict demonstrates his civil actions. Unlike Benvolio, Tybalt is uncivilized. First, Tybalt does not respect the wishes of his uncle. Instead of doing as Capulet bids, Tybalt expresses to his “uncle, ’tis a shame” (1.5.82). Rather than politely doing as he is told, Tybalt snaps back rudely to his elder, illustrating his uncivil side. Whereas Benvolio asks his respected uncle to step aside politely, Tybalt disregards Capulet’s wishes and even retorts with a saucy comment, hence displaying his lack of civility in comparison to Benvolio. Moreover, Tybalt welcomes a fight. When given the chance to avoid using violence, Tybalt does not “excuse the injuries/that [Romeo] has done [him]; therefore [turns] and [draws]” (3.1.65-66). Instead of calmly forgiving and forgetting past offences, Tybalt intends to fight with Romeo. Tybalt is being uncivil towards Romeo, as he is trying to start a conflict with him when unnecessary. In contrast to Benvolio, who does his best to avoid fights, Tybalt strives for a conflict, hence proving him the less civil of the two. In conclusion, Benvolio is more respectful and peaceful than Tybalt, proving him to be the more civilized…

    • 269 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast
    • 473 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast

    “Romeo and Juliet” is a story about two star crossed lovers who meet by fate. This great piece of literature written, by William Shakespeare will be compared with Baz Lurman’s rendition of “Romeo and Juliet”. The movie missed some details from the play it also added some extra scenes but it still contained the right mood and scenes for it to be a “Romeo and Juliet” movie.…

    • 473 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in Order to Make It Such an Interesting, Exciting, and Important Scene?
    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages

    How Does Shakespeare Use Dramatic Devices in Act 3 Scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet in Order to Make It Such an Interesting, Exciting, and Important Scene?

    Romeo and Juliet is one of the most famous, tragedies of all time. It was written in the 16th century by Shakespeare where two star crossed lovers whose love is forbidden. In the opening of Act 3 scene 1 Shakespeare uses pathetic fallacy, dramatic irony and a use of contrast. This scene is pivotal because it has a huge role to the entire story line. Everything changes because of this scene and has the audience at the edge of their seat.…

    • 583 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Essay Example on Romeo and Juliet
    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Essay Example on Romeo and Juliet

    In Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” a section of themes are explored in order to suggest certain thought about the story and characters. These themes are significant, because modern day audience can still interact to these themes as they are still elevate. Theme like love and hate, violence and conflict are explored and help attract audience.…

    • 604 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet appropriation
    • 505 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet appropriation

    Baz Luhrman's "Romeo and Juliet  is set in a modern city; a striking contrast to the Elizabethan England of William Shakespeare. Consequently, the attitudes embodied in the film differ from those conveyed in the play. As contemporary…

    • 505 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Analysis
    • 825 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Analysis

    Baz Luhrmann's film representation of Romeo and Juliet, as opposed to Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, differentiates the context, values and ideas about love. The famous Capulet Feast scene is contextualised from the original Elizabethan context into a contemporary context expressing the transformative nature of love.…

    • 825 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Comparison
    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Baz Luhrmann Romeo And Juliet Comparison

    The entwinement of Shakespeare’s original Romeo and Juliet within Luhrmann’s modern version, establishes the contrast between old and new schemes. Props play a large role in achieving this significance to make it possible to relate to the Medieval world. Guns…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Romeo and Juliet Film Scene Analysis
    • 1125 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Romeo and Juliet Film Scene Analysis

    All around the world people often refer to Romeo and Juliet as one of the most romantic love stories of all time. However, after reading the book, it’s obvious that there are many misconceptions about the story. In reality, it’s about a four-day relationship between a 17 year-old and a 13 year-old that results in six deaths. Yet there are still too many to count recreations of Romeo and Juliet. One may ask, why is that? It’s because it teaches such a great lesson. Not every teenage relationship will end in marriage or death, but it can end badly because of rash decisions made by the teenagers, who think they’re in love. This is what happens in Romeo and Juliet, which is why it’s such an interesting movie to make over and over again. Luhrmann emphasizes the theme found in Romeo and Juliet of young love leading to reckless decisions in the death scene of his 1996 version by excluding certain characters, using the motif of light/dark imagery, and having Romeo and Juliet talk before committing suicide.…

    • 1125 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More