Appropriation of Romeo and Juliet

Discuss the appropriation of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespe be and Romeo+Juliet by Baz Luhrmann Texts and ideas from school textbooks are appropriated and transformed into separate text forms and former(a) com localisations in a antithetical mount of role. An appropriation is a text that is appropriated or taken everyplace by another composer and presented in a unseasoned way. Romeo and Juliet is a rise-kn induce high pie-eyed text that is a disaster astir(predicate) cardinal younker star-crossed fill outrs whose devastations ultimately fall in their feuding families. In the 1997 moving-picture confront, Baz Luhrmann has taken what is precious round the genuine exercise of Romeo and Juliet the themes, evocative quarrel and song, the measureless plot line and humour, and has placed it in a background which is accessible and benevolent to a fresh audience.This essay leave behind demonstrate how and wherefore Shakesp stiletto heeles Romeo and Jul iet has been appropriated and respectd for innovative-day audiences in relation to variations in the re performions to the text over time, differences and similarities mingled with delivery, ratetings, prologue and chorus, themes, reference workisation, proficiencys, value and contexts, as well as contrastive readings of the frolic and other appropriations. Shakespeares time was an age of great change, as the doddering ways were being questioned, and more(prenominal) than any(prenominal) other Renaissance figure, Shakespeare exposed an capacity to use the chivalric and shape it for his avow dramatic needs.As a result of this, his ideas and plot line in Romeo and Juliet were being questioned. The earliest registered dilettante of the tactic was diarist Samuel Pepys who, in 1662 wrote it is a match of itself the worst that I ever so heard in my life. ex years later, the poet illusion Dryden wrote Shakespeare showd the best of his skill in his Mercutio, laudatory the mutant and its comic character Mercutio. In the mid-18th century, writer Charles Gildon and philosopher Lord Kames argued that the bunk was a failure in that it did not add up the classical conventions of drama.However, writer and amateur Samuel Johnson apprehension it to be one of Shakespeares approximately pleasing tenders. It is unembellished that Romeo and Juliet has received conflate reactions, but withal gained value by responders as the context has changed over the years. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare applied deuce specific aspects of life in Renaissance Italy to create the fork of his play. The commencement exercise was the history of bloody interfamily disagreements that spendthrift Italian cities uring the Renaissance era, and the second was the voguish approach to love, based on the poetry of Petrarch (1304-1374, an Italian poet who wrote approximately love). However, Shakespeare does not solo adopt and recount history sort of he modified the poli te wars of the tip into a minor war a family feud that takes place in a stable state. in addition, he contrasted the fiction act of the Petrarchan lover with the experience of a unseasoned man who is truly in love (Romeo). Baz Luhrmann approaches his new var. of Romeo+Juliet with the equivalent intent.He entertains present-day(a) cypherers by using mod ideas to convey the values embodied in the play and the impossible love, detest and sorrowfulness that are the essence of Shakespeares tragedy. Introducing these same ideas in a different context has proven the value of Shakespeares storyline and the magnificence of the morals associated with it. An aspect of Shakespeares play and Luhrmanns assume that varies is the setting. The play is set in the sixteenth century in Verona, whilst Baz Luhrmanns pack takes place on Verona B apiece, 20th century times, resembling Los Angeles.The setting of the flash is a striking contrast to the Elizabethan England of William Shakespeare hence the attitudes expressed in the celluloid vary from those conveyed in the play. This also contributes in articulating the present-day(a) attitude to godliness, madness, duty, etc and how it has signifi whoremongertly changed from those of 16th century England. A major swash that Luhrmann has maintained in his film is the master copy Shakespearean speech communication that characterises the play.Although the meaning of feature sentences has been changed, other subroutines break been emphasised. An ideal is Mercutios speech at lacewood grove, the dialogue is very similar, Her wagoner Queen Mab, a small grey-coated gnat And in this state she gallops night by night and this has been reiterated by slopped up shots of Mercutios face, showing his emotions. Also the famous line O Romeo, Romeo accordingly art thou Romeo? is from the original play and has been rein bosomd by an offer heed from Juliet, showing her love for Romeo.This shows contemporary audiences Luhrm anns exponent to capture the core of the tragedy by means of traditional Shakespearean text, and that so far though the context has changed over the years, the language of Shakespeare is super valued and pondered by the majority of people. In addition, a difference in the film by Baz Luhrmann, compared to the play by Shakespeare is the prologue and chorus. In Shakespeares original production, the chorus would start entered the Globe Theatre, and to gain the audiences attention, would yell ii househ aniles, both alike in dignity and the rest of his part.In Luhrmanns portrayal of the chorus, he alternatively uses underweight up shots of a boob tube with an Afri arse American woman delivering a news report. Whereas Shakespeares audience were aurally dependent, modern audiences rely immensely on optical aspects of Luhrmanns Romeo+Juliet. The use of the television caught the contemporary audiences eye and the African American woman represents the historically outstanding legac y of the civil rights black movement, which is another aspect that appeals and relates to a modern audience.This shows that the variation in context has led to new values which Luhrmann has co-ordinated in his film, proving his appropriation of Romeo and Juliet is frequently more top-flight to Shakespeares play for a contemporary audience. A vital segment and similarity in Shakespeares play and Luhrmanns film are the themes. Baz Luhrmann has kept the same themes and ideas from the original play in his film which shows they are actually timeless and can tinge on all audiences, no numerate what age they are a part of. One of the notice themes in the play and film is love.When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time, he forgets his antecedent love Rosaline and falls genuinely in love with Juliet. She in turn responds to him with a love that is innocent and eager. Another important theme in the two texts is hate. stay is destroyed by the hatred that the Montagues and Capulets feel for each other and the causes of this are not important, the results are. The love of Romeo and Juliet provides a strong contrast to the hate and are aspects of the play that do not have to be modernised.Hate and love can be interpreted as the dichotomy of human life hence even though the context of the film has differed from the play, these two themes remain to be just as applicable today as they were in Shakespeares time. Furthermore, Baz Luhrmann has taken a modern perspective on each character, better-looking them character traits that may have only been hinted at in Shakespeares play. An example is the different representations of Romeos first meeting with Juliet at the masked ball.In Shakespeares play, the use of language conventions such as familiar innuendo, as well as the line And laurel to palm is the holy plamers kiss portrays Juliet as each being a guarded character who is not interested in Romeo to an other than much more sexual and connotative personality. On the other hand in the film, Juliet is conveyed as a flirtatious and all told exotic character. In the outlook where she meets with Romeo, Luhrmann reinforces Juliets sensual eye movements, with close-up shots, as she gazes past the fish in the fish armored combat vehicle to lock with Romeos eyes.Shakespeares ikon of Romeo and Juliet appealed to the late 16th century audience, merely as times have changed, so has the context, and Luhrmann expresses his characterisation of the couple as a way of reaching out to his early and contemporary target audience. Additionally, it is vital to concoct that in the 17th and 18th centuries, plays were enacted in theatres and Shakespeares audience came to the play with a significant level of aural exposure, whereas Luhrmanns film is more visually developed. Hence, a key variation in the two text types is the techniques used.Shakespeare has expressed his ability to use versatile language to appeal to his audience. An example is the balcony sc ene of Act II Scene II, when Romeo says It is my lady, O it is my love, reinforced with hyperbole two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, exaggerating the view of Juliets sparkling eyes. Another example is Shakespeares use of puns and bawdy or sexual jokes, which can be seen in Act I Scene IV, when Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio discuss going to the Capulets party A torch for me allow wantons light of heart, Tickle the senseless rushes with their heels. (Romeo jokes about the ladies at the Capulet party being degenerate when they are actually respectable). An additional language feature evident is the use of similes It seems she hangs upon the impudence of night like a bountiful jewel in an Ethiops ear. Romeo says this line to describe Juliet when he first sees her. The Elizabethan culture understood the puns, the sexual jokes, as well as the language that is found so ancient and old in the 20th century. All these language conventions prove that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Jul iet to entertain his audience, writing within the context of his culture.On the other hand, Baz Luhrmann has adopted a style very much of his own in creating the film Romeo+Juliet. To appeal to a contemporary audience, Luhrmann has used multiple visual techniques. One example is the use of costumes, at the Capulet ball Tybalt was dressed as a devil. This shows his evil and violent personality, representing the theme of violence and hatred. Camera work is another technique used effectively an example is in the final scene when alternating close ups of Romeo and Juliets fingers moving are shown, which creates dramatic mockery as we see Juliet waking up just as Romeo prepares to kill himself.Luhrmann also uses playful humour which can be seen when Romeo stumbles over to reach Juliet, appealing to his young audience. In addition Latin and gimcrack music, a childrens choir and a production number is used in the film to create a blissful and contemporary atmosphere. It is evident, by means ofout the use of modern technology and visual techniques, Luhrmann has successfully do his appropriation of Romeo and Juliet much more superior to Shakespeares play, for a modern audience. Moreover, a variation in values in the midst of the play and film is The Wheel of caboodle and religion.During Shakespeares time, it was widely believed that fate and/or fortune was the main controlling force in life. Just as a part of a wheel moves from a low to a high position or from high to low, so does a mans life. Hence, Shakespeare used this value to portray the idea of as to what end fate and to what extent human rabidness and error, contributed to the final tragedy. On the other hand, Luhrmann takes what implications of religion there are in the play and makes them a key visual taper in his film.Romeo and Juliet have a descent that is based around the church, and there is commonly a cross or other religious symbol in the scenes in which they appear, encouraging the story to be viewed in a Christian context. Luhrmann uses his Christ mental imagery as a way to show contemporary audiences that the young lovers play a Christ-like role in their families sacrificing themselves for the final rest between their families. Because of the lovers sacrifice, Verona has wish for life, just as Christians in the land have hope for life because of their the Nazarene (God).Hence, Luhrmanns Romeo+Juliet conveys the values of its original context whilst relating to his modern audience by depicting current social issues which make it more relevant and comprehensible to the audience. Furthermore, as the context of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare has changed, so has peoples interpretations of the play. Early psychoanalytic critics dictum the complication of Romeo and Juliet in terms of Romeos overconfidence developing from ill-controlled, partially wrapped aggression, which led to Mercutios death and the lovers suicide.In the late 1900s, critics such as Julia Kristev a center on the hatred between the Capulets and Montagues, line that this hatred caused Romeo and Juliets passion for each other. Juliet for example, speaks of my only love sprung from my only hate and usually articulates her love through an antepast of Romeos death. Feminist literary critics delve that the blame for the family feud lies in Veronas patriarchal society. For example, Coppelia Kahn, a feminist critic believes the firm, manlike code of violence implied on Romeo, is the main force driving the tragedy to its end.In this view, the teenagers become men by involving themselves in violence on behalf of their fathers. Juliet also obeys a female code of purity and fealty and she demonstrates this by allowing others, such as the beggar to solve her problems for her. This shows that Romeo and Juliet has had many different readings over the years and critics values, professions and cultures can have a major influence on their interpretations. In addition, Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet is not the only appropriation of Shakespeares play. The play has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, tuneful and opera.David Garricks 18th century version modified many scenes, removing material hence thought of as offensive, and Georg Bendas adaption excluded much of the action and added a happy ending. Performances in the 19th century, such as Charlotte Cushmans, updated the original text, and centred on greater realism. In 1935, John Gielguds version reinforced the Elizabethan culture and costumes, and kept very close to Shakespeares text. In the 20th century, the play has been diversely adapted, including the 1950s musical tungsten Side Story and the 1996s MTV-inspired Romeo and Juliet.It is evident that Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet has a timeless storyline as well as aright themes and language, and has been appropriated multiple times as the text is highly valued. In conclusion, it is now unsnarl that William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is highly v alued and Baz Luhrmann has taken what is valued about the original play the themes, evocative language and poetry, the timeless storyline and humour, and has placed it in a context which is accessible and appealing to a contemporary audience.The variations in the reactions to the text over time, differences and similarities between language, settings, prologue and chorus, themes, characterisation, techniques, values and contexts, as well as different readings of the play and other appropriations has shown how and why the text has been appropriated and remains immensely valued. It is through appropriations like Luhrmanns, which have continually rekindled the inflammation to enable the original storyline of Romeo and Juliet to be perceived by an ever ever-changing audience.