Compare the ways in which William Shakespeare and Baz Luhrman make the scene interesting and tense for the audience.

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Compare the ways in which William Shakespeare and Baz Luhrman make the scene interesting and tense for the audience

“Romeo and Juliet” is a play written by William Shakespeare in 1594 or 1595. It was written to be performed in front of Elizabethan audiences. It was most notably performed in front of audiences at the Globe Theatre in London. Baz Luhrman’s adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet” was created in 1996 so that more people could enjoy William Shakespeare’s work, and to translate his work into a modern world setting. A problem that faced Luhrman was would a modern audience appreciate Shakespeare’s stories? This is why he set it in a modern setting. I will be writing to compare the differences and even similarities in Act 1 scene 5 of the Shakespeare Baz Lurhman versions of “Romeo and Juliet”.

In the beginning of Act 1 Scene 5 the servants are preparing for the party in the kitchen. They are in a buoyant mood and looking forward to the party. Everything in the scene is at a “brisk” pace, with people rushing to get ready for the party. You get the feeling of it all being done quickly because the first servant seems to be giving orders. This is shown when the first servant says, “Away with the joint stools, remove the court cupboard.” This shows the servants are rushing to get ready giving commands to each other. “We cannot be here and there too” This is further evidence that they are hurried because they need to be in two places at once. The setting of the opening of the scene is at the Capulet’s mansion and in particular in the kitchen.

The scene then progresses to Capulet welcoming all the guests. Capulet is in a very jovial mood and is a very good host.  He then proceeds to tell the women to dance on the dance floor. However he refuses to dance himself, saying, “For you and I are past our dancing days.” This shows us that he is growing old and no longer wants to dance at his parties. Capulet continues talking to the second Capulet with them debating how long it has been since they were last dancing. The mood of the beginning of the scene is very jolly. However, the setting comes across as quite formal. It comes across that it is in a ballroom with people dancing to formal music. “Come musicians play” is a phrase which is an example of this formal feel to the scene. The way Capulet addresses the performers as “musicians” also suggests that they are an orchestra, and not an informal group of players.  

Shakespeare uses language to build up the atmosphere in this scene; “More light, you knaves; and turn tables top” Capulet says, trying to say let us get the party going. This shows us that the atmosphere is cheerful and that the guests want to have a good time. Further evidence of Shakespeare using language to create the atmosphere is the remark: “You are welcome, gentlemen! Come musicians play” This shows us that Capulet wants everyone to have good time. He wants everyone to enjoy themselves which shows us that atmosphere is not just a cheerful one, a giving one too. Shakespeare makes the opening of the scene interesting with all the servants rushing about in preparation for the party. He also makes it interesting with the behaviour of Capulet because he is very prominent in the scene and proving that he is a very good host. I find it interesting that his behaviour to begin with he is very public with the guests and that changes to being slightly private with the second Capulet.

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The beginning of Act 1 scene 5 in the Baz Luhrman adaptation of Romeo and Juliet is very energetic. Anywhere you look people are dancing and enjoying themselves. The whole opening to the scene in the film is chaotic with fireworks going off, party music being played, Mercutio bringing attention to himself and flashing lights. Baz Luhrman also used the sense of drugs on Romeo’s body to multiply the frenetic goings on of the party. The party is set at the Capulet’s expensive mansion .The film uses slow motion effects to put the viewer in Romeo’s eyes and to ...

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