Luhrmann uses a modern setting. In Luhrmann’s version of Act 3 Scene 1 he uses cars, guns and 20th century clothing. This would make it more easier for modern day people to understand the movie rather than setting the film with a 16th century background. The original text of Act 3 Scene 1 is clarified because it is articulated in familiar images i.e. the beach instead of a market place. This makes people feel concerned that it could happen today. We also see this in Act1 Scene 1, where the setting is in a gas station instead of a market place.
Shakespeare lived In the Elizabethan era. The Elizabethan era was a time where the state and religion were one. Elizabethan England was a profoundly religious country. Religion dominated most people’s lives. Virtually everyone in England cared passionately about religion. Because of this, it is not surprising that Romeo and Juliet bears evidence of this influence.Luhrmann has been successful in showing this in Act 3 Scene1 . Most of the Montagues and Capulets wore a necklace with a cross, Tybalt’s pistol had a picture of Jesus and we see Romeo shouting ‘ I am fortune’s fool’ to a large statue of Jesus. Also through out the whole movie we see tattoos of Jesus, statues of Jesus, pictures of Jesus, churches and we constantly hear religious music. This creates a sense of religion and mythology.
Luhrmann’s production also gives the audience a clue to what was going on in a world where people carried weapons all the time and so it was related to ‘western’ movies. We see this in Act 3 Scene 1 , when Tybalt challenges Romeo to a duel as would happen in western movies. We also see this when Abra removes all the bullets from Tybalt’s gun except one. In western movies a duel would be decided by one bullet.
Act 3 Scene 1, of Shakespeare’s original text shows the theme of anger. We see this when Benvolio says ‘These hot days make the mad blood stir.’ Luhrmann is successful in showing the theme of anger by using the weather. Luhrmann uses hot weather and a storm in the background to create a sense of anger and hot blood. Luhrman also puts forward the theme of anger by inserting the fight scene between Romeo, Mercutio and Tybalt and the car chase between Romeo and Tybalt.
Mercutio is one of the sources of comedy in Shakespeare’s original text. After Mercutio dies in Act3 Scene 1 we see no more comedy in the play. Luhrmann is successful in showing this. When Mercutio shouts out, in the movie,’ A plague o’ both your houses’, a storm suddenly breaks. This makes it seem to the viewer, without understanding the text, that he has put a curse on both the families. Also, as he lies dead, the sky goes grey and dark, showing an end to comedy and the start of tragedy.
It is important to realise that Shakespeare worked for a play writing company. Shakespeare had to write plays that fitted the actors in the permanent company he was writing for whereas Luhrmann would have had to find a performer that fitted the character of the play. This can be hard to do. But Luhrmann was successful in doing this. Luhrmann’s characters and their behaviours fitted those in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Julliet. Tybalt literally means ‘King of the cats.’ Luhrmann portrays this by his agile use of his pistols and his slick appearance and voice.
We also know from the text that Mercutio is easily angered when Benvolio says, in Act 3 Scene1, ‘ If I were so apt to quarrel as thou art, any man should buy the fee simple of my life for an hour and a quarter.’ Luhrmann successfully shows this when we see Mercutio become enraged and chase after Tybalt, for saying ‘ Mercutio, thou consortest with Romeo.’
In my opinion, Luhrmann has been very successful in presenting act 3 scene 1. He has successfully made the scene easy to understand and enjoyable, without the viewer having to understand the actual text. Using the characters, actions and settings, Luhrmann has successfully put forward the theme of hate and anger in this scene. He has successfully portrayed the characters behaviours in this scene and also, he has successfully portrayed the actual story behind Act3 Scene 1 in the movie.
