Using act one scene five, discuss these two interpretations in terms of their historical context and the audience they were made for. Pay particular attention to the presentational devices and film techniques.

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Ravi Khanna

G.C.S.E. English Coursework

Romeo and Juliet

Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann offer the cinema audience very different interpretations of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

Using act one scene five, discuss these two interpretations in terms of their historical context and the audience they were made for. Pay particular attention to the presentational devices and film techniques

Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann have both made contempary versions of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. From act one scene five it is clear to see how Zeffirelli and Luhrmann have chosen to portray Shakespeare’s play. The ways these differences can be noted are through presentational devices and film techniques. Zeffirelli’s version of Romeo and Juliet was shot on location. It was filmed in the late 60’s. Zeffirelli’s target audience was people that had perhaps read Romeo and Juliet but never seen a visual portrayal. The reason for this is Zeffirelli tries to stick exactly to Shakespeare’s script. Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet was shot in Los Angles. Los Angles is infamous for gang violence. The film was shot in the 1990’s. Luhrmann’s version was aimed at the mainly the teen audience. Principally due to the way the play was recreated and the choice of characters.

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Due to the change from stage to the silver screen some script changes and location changes were made. Some of the changes were forced. Furthermore on screen less dialogue is needed due to the fact it is more visual so you can actually see what is going on. So there is less need for descriptive speech. In both versions the directors have cut the servants speech. The main reasons behind dialogue cuts are, on stage you have much time so show and portray scenes. Where the two directors differ in there approach is where Zeffirelli tries to stay as ...

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