A Comparison of the Fight Scene in Act 3 of Shakespeare's Play ‘Romeo and Juliet' in the Film Version

In William Shakespeare’s play ‘Romeo and Juliet’ there is alot of conflict particularly in act 3 scene 1. The audience find conflict interesting to watch because it creates drama and tension. Shakespeare uses many dramatic devices to present this; some of these techniques include foreshadowing, puns and irony to add to this effect. Another reason why Shakespeare uses conflict in the play is so that the audience are able to get attached to it and watch the conflict grow. The fact that the scene is set in a public place encourages the characters to show off, the characters do this because they want to show their strength and show people that they are not afraid. The conflict in the

Luhrmann further modernised his film adaption by altering the play’s original prologue. The movie begins with a prologue made as a television broadcast. In doing this it informs the audience of the violence taking place between the two families, the Montagues and the Capulets. The prologue differs dramatically from Zeffirelli’s interpretation. The 1968 version of the prologue is retold by a monotonous narrator, who simply tells the tale of the feuding families set over a milieu of an Italian city. In restructuring the prologue Luhrmann has made his interpretation of Romeo and Juliet more appealing to a teenage audience. Adolescent viewers can identify more with a modern television broadcast in comparison to a tedious monologue recital.

In Summary, with these three examples it is shown that the play and the movie contrast quite a bit. Most of the story line and the dialogue were very similar to the original story in the movie but some things were changed, possibly to shorten the story to be able to make

Baz Lurhmann’s creation of the film Romeo and Juliet has shown that today’s audience can still understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Typically, when a modern audience think of Shakespeare, they immediately think it will be boring, yet Lurhmann successfully rejuvenates Romeo and Juliet. In his film production he uses a number of different cinematic techniques, costumes and a formidably enjoyable soundtrack; yet changes not one word from Shakespeare’s original play, thus making it appeal to a modern audience.

Comparison of the Opening Sequences of Two Different Versions of Romeo and Juilet The objective of this essay is to compare two different film adaptations of William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juilet. Franco Zefferelli directed the first rendition of this play in 1968. This was the more conventional, traditional version of the play. It was slow, peaceful, and in my opinion, how Shakespeare would've wanted it.

Act III, scene i of Romeo & Juliet is the climax of the story, in which two fights are portrayed, one between Mercutio and Tybalt, and one between Romeo and Tybalt, which lead to the deaths of both Mercutio and Tybalt. When portrayed in film form in Zeffirelli’s 1968 version, and Luhrmann’s 1996 version, there are many differences, and similarities. While these two films are telling the same story, it is the differences between the two that lead to Luhrmann’s 1996 version being superior. Due to its more dramatic settings, and character interactions and actor portrayals.

However Zeffirelli included lot’s of details related to the book. For example, in 1:5 Shakespeare showed some good graphics. Without the need of illusions or making the character seem like they’re on drugs and shows he’s done a good job. This is because the party had to seem fun. Also the mood in the Zeffirelli version gave off a more romantic feeling. What this illustrates is how the Luhrmann version seemed more like a party, but not with the right feeling. For example, in the party scene, Romeo and Juliet had to meet for the very first time, and Luhrmann doesn’t really have a pleasing point of view. As a result Zeffirelli had a better eye on the tragedy.

Romeo and Juliet act three scene one happens on a street in Verona during a scorching hot day. When Benvolio and Mercutio spot the Capulets, Mercutio is provocative and wants to start a quarrel with Tybalt because Tybalt insulted Romeo. Tybalt and Mercutio draw their swords and start the brawl. To try and stop the brawl, Romeo steps between them, but it’s too late, Tybalt impales Mercutio under Romeo's arm and Mercutio dies. To get vengeance over Mercutio's death, Romeo attacks Tybalt and kills him. The rendition of Romeo and Juliet I’m going to discuss first is The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, and second is the 1968 film by Franco Zeffirelli.

Another significant scene that was portrayed differently in the two versions was the suicide scene. Zeferelli’s version is once again almost exact to what we read in the book. Romeo sees what he perceives to be a dead Juliet lying in her family’s tomb, and distraught by the sight he drinks poison. When Juliet awakens from her sleep she finds Romeo dead, and stabs herself with his knife. In Luhrmanns version Romeo goes to the church where Juliet is laid out for her funeral. He also sees what he perceives to be a dead Juliet and drinks poison. When Juliet awakens from her sleep she finds out Romeo has swallowed poison and is dying. The main difference lies in the fact that we are led to believe that maybe he will see her awake

This director’s choice shows that both directors cherished and respected Shakespeare's written text. In Zeffirelli’s film, the dialogue fits in with the other aspects of the film, such as the costumes and set. since everything is traditional, but what is interesting is that the actors manage to sound very natural and comfortable with the dialogue. They managed to convey strong emotion with help of the text and entirely transformed into the characters. Since, Zefferelli's version both includes the traditional sets, costumes, and language it makes it easy for the audience to understand the original play, the film is straightforward and does not contradict the original play, making the film a credible resort for those who want to have a better understanding of the story. Unlike Zeffirelli’s version, Luhrmann’s costumes and set do not suit the dialogue, making the Shakespearean dialogue in his version both strange to watch and hear, another odd aspect is that at times the characters did not precisely mean what they were saying, for instance, when a character was talking about their sword, they were actually talking about their guns named sword, consequently, this made the dialogue confusing to follow at times. Nevertheless, the actors in both films managed to execute an admirable performance and did Shakespeare's text

Romeo and Juliet’s actions may seem rushed and immature, but Baz Luhrmann’s movie offers a compelling insight into their decisions. By setting this Elizabethan era play in the present day, the viewer can see past the differences in scenery and clothing compared to those of their lives, to analyze the unique characteristics of the lovers’ society and upbringing that may have led to their hasty love affair and violent end. Luhrmann creates a culture of violence and speed through careful decisions regarding cinematography, editing, and sound.

The scene takes place in a pool, rather than on an actual balcony. Also, instead of the actors coming together from far apart, they are close together the whole time in Luhrmann’s rendition, making the scene seem somewhat unrealistic. The costumes Juliet and Romeo were wearing were more modern, so they did not even look like costumes. Perhaps due to having more experience, the faces of the actors were difficult to read. They also spoke their lines as if in an everyday conversation, as opposed to being actors in a play. These characteristics are why the 1996 version varies from its 1968

Romeo and Juliet, the famous play written by Shakespeare, is one that even many centuries later is still constantly retold and talked about. It conveys the uplifting story of two lovers who unfortunately were not allowed to be together, due to the ongoing feud between their families. Despite all of the risks and even at the cost of their own lives, they still went against everything that they had ever known and got married. However, shortly afterwards, a fight broke out between the Montague and the Capulet when Tybalt comes to confront Romeo about being at the party. Even when refusing to fight, Mercutio draws his sword and battle rages out, ending up with the death of both Mercutio and Tybalt. Due to how well-known and celebrated the play is, many different versions were made out of it, including the 1968 version by Zeffirelli and the 1996 version by Luhrmann. They both have many differences in the way they present the fighting scene. Nevertheless, due to the symbolism, mood, props, and other characteristics of this version, the 1968 version of the fight between the Montagues and Capulets is the better portrayal of the scene.

There were many differences between the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann film.The part that stood out to me the most was how Juliet takes her life away when she sees that Romeo is dead. In the Zeffirelli version Juliet grabs Romeoś dagger and stabs herself because she sees Romeo had killed himself with poison.However,in the Luhrmann version Juliet sees Romeo before he dies and actually gets to talk to him and Juliet sees him die.Juliet can not take the pain of seeing her Romeo die so she decides to take her own life to but instead of using a dagger she uses a gun.

Comparing The Opening Shots in Baz Luhrmann and Franco Zeffirelli's Versions of Romeo and Juliet