How is Romeo presented in Shakespeare’s and Luhrmann’s version of the play?
During the course of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s character develops immensely. This is contrasted within Shakespeare’s play and Luhrmann’s film in numerous ways. Within the play, Romeo is first presented as a timid and reclusive gentleman, somewhat frustrated with his failed amorous endeavours. However, by the end of the play, he has evolved into someone who is so passionate about his significant other that he would then go on to kill himself for her. Comparisons can also be made with the film where he also initially is presented as a withdrawn individual and transforms into a character driven by his love.
In the first scene, Romeo is initially presented as a sad, melancholic …show more content…
He becomes mesmerised and in awe of her beauty, shown when he compares her to a “rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear”. He also asks if “my heart did love till now? For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” He uses rich metaphors in his monologue and also uses oxymoron, saying that she is a “dove trooping amongst crows.” Doves represent innocence and purity, and when Romeo juxtaposes that image with crows, representing death and darkness. Romeo also uses the metaphor “She doth teach the torches to burn bright”, indicating that her beauty radiates more than a torch. She is so bright that she teaches torches to shine – a poetic exaggeration. Shakespeare uses this form of language as the audience could not see her beauty so he had to rely on language techniques. In contrast to this, Luhrmann uses Juliet in an angel costume to emphasis her pure and innocent nature, whereas characters like Tybalt are seen as a devil, and Romeo being Juliet’s “knight in shining armour”. Luhrmann also expresses Juliet’s uniqueness and splendour when Romeo and Juliet have their initial encounter on opposing sides of a fish tank. The tropical and rare fish may represent Juliet’s natural beauty as tropical fish create the impression that both are pure, rare, and delicate. Romeo may come across to the audience as slightly peculiar for being utterly smitten by a girl he has only seen …show more content…
His reaction to Juliet’s monologue about her desire for Romeo highlights their reciprocated love, in contrast to his and Rosaline’s relationship. For example, the way Romeo declares his name as useless shows that he is willing to end this bitter feud between the rivalling families as Juliet is much more important to him. During Shakespeare’s time, family heritage and lineage were extremely importance to someone’s personality and how they were seen towards others. This scene is portrayed in the play on a balcony, as balconies were seen as an extravagant item in Shakespeare’s time. Shakespeare may have kept them separate as young people were only meant to have contact after marriage to symbolise purity and chastity. Luhrmann illustrates this scene in a swimming pool, drawing a parallel between both items being considered luxuries in their time periods. He also contradicts Shakespeare’s version of this scene by having Romeo and Juliet touching each other in a sensual manner. This shows the audience that Romeo’s character is loyal towards Juliet and truly believes that he can settle down with
During the course of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s character develops immensely. This is contrasted within Shakespeare’s play and Luhrmann’s film in numerous ways. Within the play, Romeo is first presented as a timid and reclusive gentleman, somewhat frustrated with his failed amorous endeavours. However, by the end of the play, he has evolved into someone who is so passionate about his significant other that he would then go on to kill himself for her. Comparisons can also be made with the film where he also initially is presented as a withdrawn individual and transforms into a character driven by his love.
In the first scene, Romeo is initially presented as a sad, melancholic …show more content…
He becomes mesmerised and in awe of her beauty, shown when he compares her to a “rich jewel in an Ethiop’s ear”. He also asks if “my heart did love till now? For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.” He uses rich metaphors in his monologue and also uses oxymoron, saying that she is a “dove trooping amongst crows.” Doves represent innocence and purity, and when Romeo juxtaposes that image with crows, representing death and darkness. Romeo also uses the metaphor “She doth teach the torches to burn bright”, indicating that her beauty radiates more than a torch. She is so bright that she teaches torches to shine – a poetic exaggeration. Shakespeare uses this form of language as the audience could not see her beauty so he had to rely on language techniques. In contrast to this, Luhrmann uses Juliet in an angel costume to emphasis her pure and innocent nature, whereas characters like Tybalt are seen as a devil, and Romeo being Juliet’s “knight in shining armour”. Luhrmann also expresses Juliet’s uniqueness and splendour when Romeo and Juliet have their initial encounter on opposing sides of a fish tank. The tropical and rare fish may represent Juliet’s natural beauty as tropical fish create the impression that both are pure, rare, and delicate. Romeo may come across to the audience as slightly peculiar for being utterly smitten by a girl he has only seen …show more content…
His reaction to Juliet’s monologue about her desire for Romeo highlights their reciprocated love, in contrast to his and Rosaline’s relationship. For example, the way Romeo declares his name as useless shows that he is willing to end this bitter feud between the rivalling families as Juliet is much more important to him. During Shakespeare’s time, family heritage and lineage were extremely importance to someone’s personality and how they were seen towards others. This scene is portrayed in the play on a balcony, as balconies were seen as an extravagant item in Shakespeare’s time. Shakespeare may have kept them separate as young people were only meant to have contact after marriage to symbolise purity and chastity. Luhrmann illustrates this scene in a swimming pool, drawing a parallel between both items being considered luxuries in their time periods. He also contradicts Shakespeare’s version of this scene by having Romeo and Juliet touching each other in a sensual manner. This shows the audience that Romeo’s character is loyal towards Juliet and truly believes that he can settle down with