Comparing Shakespeare's Romeo And Juliet

Adaptations are a prospect that is universally debatable on what makes a good contemporary reworking of a text. This notion is especially true for that of Shakespearean plays. Over the years, many of his works have been adapted and modernized throughout film and other various media outlets; Romeo and Juliet being one of the Shakespearean plays with the most adaptations, especially in film. Three of those films being Romeo + Juliet by Baz Luhrmann, West Side Story by Robert Wise, and Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. Though adapting the same story, the way these films modernize and update the original story of Romeo & Juliet are heavily influenced by the audience and society of their time. However, the one aspect that always stays the same in

     Now how about some similarities. My first similarity is in both versions how the people carried around weapons. In the old one the people of Verona carried swords. In the modern version of the play the people of Verona carried handguns. Two different weapons, but they were used in the same fashion in both versions of the play. Another likeness is Paris didn’t bite the dust in any of the versions. He is only in a few scenes. He’s not even in the last scene where he was supposed to meet his maker. While on the subject of death, Lady Montague does not die in either version. She is seen exiting the final scene in both versions. She doesn’t even have a big role in the story. My next similarity is the

Romeo and Juliet is one of the most commemorated and referenced plays in the history of the world. Because it is so popular, many variations of the play exist. Since different ideas about the play have produced a multitude of different reenactments, lots of plays out there have many differences. Three of these versions, Two of which are movies made, one in 1968, the other in 1996, and the last is an actual play production on Broadway in 2014, have many differences and similarities. What we can interpret from these variations is that even though the words on the script may not change, with time, culture can alter the appearance and mood of the production.

The original play Romeo and Juliet and the new movie are almost exactly alike in their script, but the

The final three differences all have to do with Abigail. First of all, she is seen stealing money from her uncle where in the play we only hear of it second-hand. Second, in the movie, Abigail visits John Proctor in jail, which never occurred in the play. Lastly, Abigail accuses the Reverend John Hale 's wife of witchcraft, and is told by Judge Danforth that she is mistaken. This did not happen in the play, but helps in the movie to more clearly define Abigail as one of the "bad guys" in the movie.

Romeo and Juliet is a timeless story about two ill-fated lovers. Originally written by, Shakespeare, this story has been adapted by different directors who all commonly try to add their own unique twist to it. Two of the most prevalent adaptations of Romeo and Juliet have been done by Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann, who have taken this love story to the big screen. Franco Zeffirelli’s movie, which was produced in 1968, is extremely authentic and stays true to Shakespeare's vision, whereas, Baz Luhrmann’s version produced in 1996, is contemporary and appeals more to younger audiences. There are various differences and a couple of similarities between Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s movie versions such as the costumes, their interpretations of

Romeo and Juliet is a very well known book that is loved by many. There numerous movies done on Romeo and Juliet like Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 version and Gnomeo and Juliet. There are many apparent differences like using guns instead of swords and using gnomes instead of people. Although there are many similarities, the differences between Luhrmann’s movie and Gnomeo and Juliet compared to the play Romeo and Juliet are evident. The similarities between the movie and the play only go down to the plot and language.

Romeo and Juliet, by William Shakespeare, is one of the most well-known stories of all time and perhaps the most famous play ever. As one might expect, the play has been made into a movie many times. The 1968 version directed by Franco Zeffirelli and the 1996 version directed by Baz Luhrmann are two of the most popular films. The older version attempts to create an authentic representation of the play, while the 1996 version places a modern twist on the story. At first glance, the movies are completely different, but upon a deeper look, there are several similarities between the two. This is best demonstrated in the balcony scene.

was the first film of Romeo and Juliet. It was produced in 1968 and it

There are some differences that especially stand out when comparing the movie to the play. For example, when Abigail is attempting to wake Betty up, many of the girls who had also danced in the woods were in the room as well yet in the book it was only Abigail, Betty and

The character that is the most different from the play in my opinion is the prince. In the movie, the prince is a police captain and he don’t seem to have any relation to Mercutio, and in the play, they have. The director chose to make these changes because of the time period, because in the present days, Verona

The scene that was most different between the play and the movie of Romeo and Juliet was how the two crossed lovers first met each other. In the play Romeo and the Montague boys find out about the Capulet party through a poor peasant who could not read the invitations. While in the movie the Capulet party is announced through a newscast over T.V. I think the director changed this so the invite can go more along with the time period of the movie. This could change how the viewers see it by making the invite less secret. Over a newscast anyone who was paying attention to the T.V. could of heard the invite. Another main difference in this scene would be Romeo and Juliet first seeing each other in the bathroom across a fish tank rather than across the ballroom in the play. This could take away from the romantic side of the two first seeing each other. In the play it seems Romeo and Juliet have more privacy when they first speak to each other. In the movie the two are getting on and off an elevator just not to be seen. This could add more suspense to the scene and make the viewers see the movie from a lofty viewpoint.

The Montagues and Capulets both hate each other with a passion. Lord Montague and Capulet are always fighting. Tybalt Capulet is always looking for a fight. Mercutio was a good friend of Romeo and enemy of Tybalt. Romeo is very sad because his love doesn't love him. Juliet is young and wants to live her life. They are way different from the modern story.

In both movies the setting is a major part in the story but in both movies the setting is completely different but the story is still told in a great way in both films. he setting in the 1968 version fit a lot better then the setting in the 1996 version because the vocabulary fit with the way the buildings looked and the clothes that were worn. the 1998 film used the setting in a more creative way, i say this because in the scene where romeo kills tybalt it starts to storm to show how serious the situation is. in the 1998 film the setting was also used to create a more modern day film using modern cities and portraying the families as gangs.

The 1968 film version of Romeo and Juliet is more tightly; aligned to what Shakespeare intended in consideration of the setting, Juliet’s impression, and verbal exchanges. When analyzing each film, it is clear to see the same plot, just portrayed differently. To begin, the settings of both films took place at the Capulet’s home where Romeo came to meet Juliet. While the 1968 film took more of an authentic path, the 1996 film took an modern path. In the 1996 film, the main setting was the pool, which strays from the play because it is the balcony scene.