So with the high expectations of modern audiences, can Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ fulfil the needs to make a production worth going to see? This essay will analyse what ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has to offer a modern audience and what may put a modern audience off the play.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ the famous story of ‘two star-crossed lovers,’ who take their lives in order to end their, ‘parents strife’. But what can this well known tale offer a modern day audience?
A common factor of modern day films, books and television programmes is violence, whether it is physical or mental. The violence in a production or book can dramatise the event and add notice on the importance of it. Shakespeare had also used this in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ to add entertainment as well as to enhance the importance of certain events. For example, “What, drawn and talk of peace?” Shows that provocation is used in the lead up to a fight, it also shows the tension between the house of Montague and Capulet build up, creating tension and suspense, which is another trait that a modern audience look for. Another example of violence in, ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the death of Mercutio and Tybalt, “ and Mercutio slain?” Are the words of Romeo is his moment of reflection on his life and what secrets have done. “Thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here, shalt with him hence,” shows Tybalt’s reaction to whom he has killed (Mercutio), it also shows how Shakespeare uses words as well as actions to get the full story across, something which is essential in any visual production, whether it be an audience of today or past times.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ also offers modern audience parts of action; which are connected with the violence. For example on Romeo’s return to Verona (in order to commit suicide in Juliet’s tomb), he meets Paris, who challenges him, resulting in his death, “O, I am slain! If thou be merciful, open the tomb, lay me with Juliet,” proves this, it also shows panic, and the feeling of not having the will power to live anymore. Although Paris’s death is another form of violence, the passion and desperation of Romeo to see Juliet portrays it more as action for love, offering a modern audience another genre.
The theme of hate in ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is also another element still used in modern films and plays. The play also has a stereotypical style villain, who is there for the audience to dislike; Tybalt, “as I hate hell, all Montagues and thee,” shows how bitter Tybalt can be. As does, “thou wretched boy, that didst consort him here,” this also reflects Tybalt’s language and shows elements on condescending like gestures. Throughout the play Tybalt is always willing to hate and appears to the audience to enjoy being involved in conflict. In all modern day productions, especially films there is always a character the audience are intended to hate, they are usually portrayed as being ugly, often with disfigurations, it is the same in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, although Tybalt may be seen as a type of ladies’ man, many portrayals of him have shown him in a evil form. The concept of hate is another thing a modern audience enjoy; due to this ‘Romeo and Juliet’ may be seen to have elements to appeal to a modern audience.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ is known for being a tragic love story and love is still very much in modern films, as well as in modern theatre productions, such as; ‘The Moulin Rouge’ and ‘Guys and Dolls’. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ contains many different forms of love. From lust, “to merit bliss by making me despair,” shows how the lust and want for someone is brought over in ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Family love and loyalty is another example of love in ‘Romeo and Juliet’, “right glad I am that he was not at this fray” and “the quarrel is between our masters and us their men,” both quotes show how relations between different character and families are built up by the caring and emotion shown in their words. But the play is renown for its illustration of love at first sight, “for I never saw a beauty till this night,” is the words of Romeo when he first sees Juliet. After this encounter Juliet is almost heart broken to hear of Romeo’s background, “my only love sprung from my only hate,” proves this. The concept of true love is again shown in the plot to re-ignite their love affair, but results in the taking of their lives, “ I will kiss thy lips, haply some poison yet doth hang on them, to make me die with a restorative,” shows how Juliet cannot bear to live without Romeo and therefore takes her own life.
The fact that love is still in modern production shows that Shakespeare still has something to offer a modern audience. Yet some may argue that a modern audience will not believe in love at first sight, and although that may be true, many people still wish to believe that it really can exist, Shakespeare produces it.
The concept of Romeo and Juliet’s risk taking is another factor that would appeal to a modern audience, particularly teenagers as it portrays the idea of rebelling against your parents, no matter what the consequences. Juliet talks of how her family name means little to her, “’Tis but thy name that is thy name,” and “What’s a Montague? It is nor hand or foot?” shows her resentment and thoughts about the importance of a name. This is also applicable to modern society with family and country loyalty becoming less important, many families also live miles apart, creating emotional distance. The marriage between the lovers is also seen as wrong in their parents eyes; offering young adults the idea of extreme rebellions, with extreme consequences.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ was written over 400 years ago, yet the basis of the storyline; falling in love with someone forbidden to you, still exists, even with the extreme measures seen in the play. This means it offers an audience of today a sense of realism as well as the entertainment of extremism.
The fact the play is still around almost half a millennia later shows the strength of the story and story telling and how if directed appropriately it can still offer an audience a compelling viewing. The play is also accessible, and can be altered to suit different times, language, relevance and audiences, meaning it still remains to offer audiences what they want whether it be through film or theatre.
Although Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has a lot to offer a modern audience it also has various things, which may put an audience off viewing a production of it.
One major point that may lead the audience to believe that they would not enjoy ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is the style of language it is written in; old English, making it harder to understand, as they are not familiar with this language. For example, “affliction is enarmoured of thy parts and thou art wedded to calamity,” and, “to see it tetchy and fall out wi’th’dug,” are good examples of this, as to your average audience they have little meaning. Yet the language can be adapted to suit a modern audience.
Another factor, which may result in, an audience of today not seeing a production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is that they already know the plot. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a well-known story, throughout the World; a modern audience may not see the point in viewing a production of which they already know the ending. Yet in argument to this, the film ‘Titanic’ had huge box office ratings, and the audience did already know the story line.
Which leads on to that ‘Romeo and Juliet’ cannot compete with modern day plots. Yet again in contrast with such books as ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ being made into theatre and film productions, it is hard to argue that post 1920 stories make better productions than those proceeding it.
A factor, which one could assume would put a younger audience off, is that it is seen as a teaching and exam text. Yet this may also appeal to those wishing and seeing it as an opportunity to advance their learning.
‘Romeo and Juliet’ contains sword fights, “put up thy sword,” shows this. Yet sword fights do not happen in modern society. But Baz Luhrman’s version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ used the usage of guns, with the name of swords, representing a more modern approach. Yet having said that, ‘The mask of Zorro’ was a very popular film, which included sword, fights.
Theatre productions of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ still occur, yet these do not tend to appeal to a large modern day audience. Several films have been made of ‘Romeo and Juliet’; this may put modern film producers off, as a modern audience may seek an original text.
Overall the majority of people would probably agree that ‘Romeo and Juliet’ still offers entertainment, through both theatre and film. Personally I would not go and see a version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at the cinema as a film, mainly because I associate the cinema as a relaxed fun place to be, the play doesn’t offer me that sense of environment, yet I would consider going to see a stage version, as it seems a classic but suitable way to view the play. Yet some elements of it have become dated and who can say what the future will bring?
