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Comparing Luhrmann's Romeo And Juliet

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Romeo And Juliet
Compare William Shakespeare’s Play with Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet

Introduction

Context has greatly influenced how Romeo and Juliet was written by William Shakespeare in the 1500’s to how Romeo + Juliet was produced in 1996 by Baz Luhmen with a more modern intention.

A key theme of Romeo and Juliet that occurs is Loyalty Vs. Disloyalty and the effects that this has on the characters Romeo and Juliet and their families. For example Romeo knows that if he tells his family of his love for Juliet it will be seen, as a disloyalty to his family and Romeo knows this so he tries to hide this.

Baz Luhmen the producer of Romeo and Juliet the film made in 1996 understands this theme and has cleverly adapted it into a modern context; he portrays the Montague’s and the Capulet’s as rival family gangs. Both Families are shown as being rich but the Capulet’s being richer and more powerful of the two. William Shakespeare in the original Romeo And Juliet describes the Montages and Capulet’s in the opening scene as “two households, both alike in dignity”. …show more content…

Disloyalty, context has a vast influence in the way Power has be used to impact Romeo and Juliet. In the Elizabethan Era, a Man had an immense amount of control over women. Shakespeare has implemented this Elezabethan tradition of power in Romeo and Juliet through the manner Capulet speaks to his daughter. An extract from the play Romeo and Juliet, where you can see this happening is “Hang thee, young baggage! Disobedient wretch! I tell thee what: get thee to church o' Thursday, Or never after look me in the face: Speak not, reply not, do not answer me”. Even in Elizabeathen English this is basic to comprehend, Capulet is showing his power over Juliet his daughter, a woman and forcing her to do what he wants or else “Speak not, reply not, do not answer me”. This shows how Capulet is enforcing his rule over women which is considered appropriate in Shakespeare’s

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