Romeo and Juliet Essay

How does Baz Luhrmann keep the spirit of Shakespearian theatre alive in his interpretation of Romeo and Juliet?

In this essay I will demonstrate how Baz Luhrmann has kept the spirit of Shakespearian theatre alive and has incorporated the key aspects of the play into his own version of  the movie. In the movie, Baz Luhrmann turns the play into a completely different modernized version but still keeps the spirit of the story.This is shown by his use of fate within the context of this love story and keeping the concept of coincidence. This is demonstrated when Romeo inadvertently finds out about the Capulet party, not by the traditional means of receiving a formal guest list but by a modernised version of the television. This is important and is one fundamental part of fate in this play, as he thinks his love interest  Rosoline is going to be at the party but his future true love Juliet will be there instead. Another significant example is when Friar Lawrence was meant to deliver the letter to Romeo to inform him about the plan of Juliet’s fake death, but he did not get the letter as the wind blew it away. This is a integral part in Romeo and Juliet, as this determines the end of the play when Romeo thinks Juliet is dead. This leads to him becoming emotionally unstable and unable to cope, resulting with him committing suicide. In this tragic love story Juliet awakes to find Romeo’s dead body and in a desperate act also commits suicide. Sadly, the plan did not turn out how it was meant to and if he did receive the letter there would have been a different ending. Shakespeare used the idea of fate as the main subject in this play, and Baz Lurhmann has adapted his film in a different way, using his own interpretation, but retains this idea of fate as a key message throughout his version of this story. In doing so, he has respected the spirit of Shakespeare and has included the significant parts of Romeo and Juliet.

Another way he keeps the Shakespearian spirit in the movie is the use of men dressing up as women. This is shown when Mercutio dresses up as a woman at the Capulet party. Historically, when Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet women did not have equal rights as men, so when Romeo and Juliet played in the theatre men would play the roles of women. This links to the comparison of men dressing up as women in the movie. Even though in the play it was not a key factor to the storyline it still has a major impact on both interpretations, by maintaining the theme and the gender roles of the characters; again demonstrates the Shakespearian spirit with in the film.

Significantly, Baz Lurhmann keeps the Shakespearian spirit in his movie by applying the same language used in the play. There are many language features in the play from metaphors to dramatic irony and Baz Lurhmann has included many different variations of 16th  century words such as “thou” and “thy”. The following is an example of the metaphors used in both the play and film;

“Two of the fairest stars in all the heaven,                                                                               Having some business, do entreat her eyes                                                                                 To twinkle in their spheres till they return.
What if her eyes were there, they in her head?
The brightness of her cheek would shame those stars,
As daylight doth a lamp; her eyes in heaven”.

This is when Romeo compares Juliet’s eyes to stars, he is trying to enthasize her beauty and express his love towards her in speech. Baz Luhrmann  has understood the importance of language when telling a story, and this iconic love story written by shakespear has arguably used language which transcends across generations and all other facets of modern culture. Baz Luhrmann also adds dramatic irony to his version of the movie in order to have a nerve racking effect and to create an anxious feeling for his audience by making them consider if the performers will find out about specific things just the audience know. For example, when Juliet promised to her father Capulet that she will listen to him and obey his commands to marry Paris the audience knew that she had already married Romeo and was essentially lying. The audience knew that she had no intentions of marrying Paris as bigomy was seen as a sin and was against the law. Most importantly however, was the fact that Juliet was deeply in love with Romeo unbeknown to Capulet, thus making him vulnerable and suceptable to her lies.

Baz Luhrmann includes symbols in his version of the film to show the significance each character holds. For example, when Friar Lawrence takes of his shirt and you can see he has a tattoo of the cross on his chest. This shows his role in the church and almost makes a statement that he is a priest. This is important as it relates to different parts of the play and makes the audience understand his character and occupation.

In conclusion Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is done well by using his own modern ideas and structures in his film, but still retaining they main concept of the story. He has proven this various of ways like, using language features and fate. Overall he has captured the true Shakespearian spirit by applying it in his modernised version of the movie.