Romeo and Juliet is a play written by William Shakespeare that has been adapted over many years into many different forms. Baz Luhrmann (Director of the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet) wrote and directed a modernised version of Romeo and Juliet with prominent themes throughout. Both versions represented context that the other did not and this will be the focus of the essay.
Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet is set in the make believe world of Verona Beach. A violent place were the kinsmen of Montague and Capulet fight in the streets with guns. Baz Luhrmann wanted his version of the play to distance itself from the others so he changed the way actors would interpret their characters. In his version he viewed the wives of Capulet …show more content…
(Light vs. Dark, fate vs. Free will, Love vs. Hate) The most prominent theme throughout his version of Romeo and Juliet is the theme of LOVE vs. HATE. Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other is threatened by a society of hate. Juliet fears for Romeo because her kinsmen want to kill him. (“Here’s much love to do with hate, but more with love” Act 1 Scene 1, line 166) Love in Verona’s masculine dominant society is dangerous. The servants of Capulet joke about sex in violent, aggressive terms, threatening the lovers. The love that Romeo and Juliet have for each other has strong contrasts to the hate that fills the streets of Verona. Despite Romeo and Juliet’s affirming love for each other, the theme of LIFE vs. Death is ever present. The youthful life affirming relationship is the heart of the play and their love for each other is full of energy and vitality. Death is never too far away in the streets of Verona. As Romeo and Juliet celebrate their wedding night (Act 3, Scene 5) their thoughts are distracted with ominous forebodings if death and suffering. Many themes are prevalent, of which these are only a few. Over the years there have been many different takes and renditions on Shakespeare’s original version of Romeo and Juliet, however, many believe that Shakespeare’s original was and always will be the
Baz Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet is set in the make believe world of Verona Beach. A violent place were the kinsmen of Montague and Capulet fight in the streets with guns. Baz Luhrmann wanted his version of the play to distance itself from the others so he changed the way actors would interpret their characters. In his version he viewed the wives of Capulet …show more content…
(Light vs. Dark, fate vs. Free will, Love vs. Hate) The most prominent theme throughout his version of Romeo and Juliet is the theme of LOVE vs. HATE. Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other is threatened by a society of hate. Juliet fears for Romeo because her kinsmen want to kill him. (“Here’s much love to do with hate, but more with love” Act 1 Scene 1, line 166) Love in Verona’s masculine dominant society is dangerous. The servants of Capulet joke about sex in violent, aggressive terms, threatening the lovers. The love that Romeo and Juliet have for each other has strong contrasts to the hate that fills the streets of Verona. Despite Romeo and Juliet’s affirming love for each other, the theme of LIFE vs. Death is ever present. The youthful life affirming relationship is the heart of the play and their love for each other is full of energy and vitality. Death is never too far away in the streets of Verona. As Romeo and Juliet celebrate their wedding night (Act 3, Scene 5) their thoughts are distracted with ominous forebodings if death and suffering. Many themes are prevalent, of which these are only a few. Over the years there have been many different takes and renditions on Shakespeare’s original version of Romeo and Juliet, however, many believe that Shakespeare’s original was and always will be the