Romeo and Juliet Comparison and contrast of the text, the Zeffrelli version, and the Luhrmann version.

The Old, the New, and the Written

The text, the Zeffrelli version, and the Luhrmann version are all different forms of Romeo and Juliet. They are all different by acting and context, but they are all about the same thing. They are both about the same story, Romeo and Juliet. The text has vivid description, the Zeffrelli and Luhrmann version has vivid view and detail but the Zeffrelli version is older and the Luhrmann version is modern. They all tell the same story, and share the same point, but they tell it a different way, and in a different timeline. The text version is different because it tells you what is going to happen in each scene. It is read by one person (or if you’re in a class, multiple people will read it). It is written in Shakespeare’s language, but it is changed so it is easier to understand. It also has side notes or foot notes, so you can understand what they are saying. Usually what is written in the book is different then what is in the movie. In the book during the fight scene with Mercutio, Tybalt, and Romeo, Tybalt kills Mercutio with a sword and Romeo runs after Tybalt killing him in the street. Also in the balcony scene, Romeo climbs the wall to Juliet’s balcony and stands with Juliet on her balcony. There really wasn’t a wedding scene in the book. During the death scene, Romeo fights Paris and says his goodbyes to Juliet and kills himself, and then she in return kills herself. The movies leave stuff out that the book has. The Zefferelli version is different because it is the older movie version. One person tells what is going to happen in the movie. It also has fewer lines from the real Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet than the Luhrmann. It also cuts some parts out from the book. They used swords to fight and Mercutio died by being stabbed with a sword. Mercutio dresses normally back then. Romeo and Juliet met in the ballroom and they kiss behind the crowd by the food. In the balcony scene, Romeo listens to Juliet in her garden but climbs a tree to get to her. When they are at their wedding they are eager to meet, and together they walk to the alter, and they do the cross on their chest. The death scene, Romeo breaks into the tomb and talks to Juliet. He also speaks about Tybalt then goes back to Juliet, and takes his life. Friar Laurence arrives when Juliet awakes and sees Romeo. The Friar flees and Juliet takes her life. The Luhrmann version is different because it is the newer version of the movie. It actually has more lines from the Shakespeare’s context then the Zefferelli version. It is modern and uses guns instead of swords. They have cars instead of horses. They also have modern clothes, songs, and ideas. The prologue is told by a news reporter. They set the scene in a modern city. When Tybalt kills Mercutio, he kills him with a piece of glass and on a beach. Then, when Romeo chases after Tybalt and shoots him down. Tybalt falls into the water. Then Romeo and Juliet meet through a fish tank while Mercutio (crossed dressed for his costume) is singing and they kiss in the elevator. Juliet is talking to herself on the patio then they both are in the pool talking about getting married. When they get married it is kind of like a traditional except it had chorus boys. In the death scene Romeo arrives at Juliet’s tomb where it is very light in there. Romeo drinks the poison as she wakes up and in return she shoots herself in the head. They are all similar because they are all about Romeo and Juliet. They all have the same point. Even though the Luhrmann version is modern they all had Shakespeare’s lines in them. They involve the death scene, balcony scene, party scene, the fight scene, and the prologue. They are all similar and they are all different. They have many scenes and characters. They also have many ways of showing each side of Romeo and Juliet. They all have different actors, costumes, and stages for a different view on each version, but it is still all the same Romeo and Juliet.