Comparing how Themes are represented in Baz Luhrmann's Production of Romeo and Juliet and Shakespeare's Original Play

Authors Avatar by supreme_fmanyahoocouk (student)

The Theme of Love in 'Romeo and Juliet'

        William Shakespeare presents love in different forms. He presents loving family loyalty whenever rivals brawl to protect family honour. Baz Luhrmann sets the civil brawl in a petrol station – unlike Shakespeare’s setting – symbolising the situation’s volatility; Tybalt ignites petrol by dropping his cigarette, thus representing the spark that ignites the brawl. Shakespeare later shows Tybalt's strong family loyalty: “Now by the stock and honour of my kin, to strike him dead I hold it not a sin.” Tybalt must passionately love Capulets, to risk his life and kill someone, for family honour. Shakespeare portrays love between rivals when Lady Montague commands Montague: “Thou shalt not stir one foot to seek a foe...” thus protecting Capulets. Capulet protects Romeo from Tybalt: “I would not for the wealth of all this town Here in my house do him disparagement;” Shakespeare’s Romeo was uninvited, so Capulet protecting him suggests stronger love between rivals than depicted in Luhrmann’s film. Shakespeare and Luhrmann present paternal love when Romeo’s parents fret about him and when Capulet protects Juliet from an arranged marriage. Unrequited love features between Romeo and Rosaline then Paris and Juliet. “Out of her favour where I am in love”, shows Rosaline does not reciprocate Romeo’s love. Romeo’s unnatural, oxymoronic imagery: “loving hate ... heavy lightness ... cold fire ...” presents unrequited love as confusing and unnatural. Paris’ unrequited love for Juliet emphasises the strength of her love for Romeo, because Juliet loses everyone who loves her, rather than losing him. She loses Capulet: “you shall not house with me” Lady Capulet: “I have done with thee...” and nurse: ”Romeo’s a dishclout to him”. In Shakespeare’s play, Paris dies: “I am slain...” and Friar Lawrence abandons Juliet: “I dare no longer stay...”, making Romeo and Juliet’s love seem stronger than in Luhrmann’s film. A shared sonnet of lovers’ prose at the party makes their romantic love and connection appear strong. Luhrmann uses white to symbolise strong love: whenever with Romeo, Juliet wears white, emphasising the strength of their love in a way Shakespeare does not.

Join now!

Shakespeare and Luhrmann show love’s evolution; I cited how Capulet’s paternal love for Juliet become fury, whilst Romeo and Juliet’s love evolves from superficial to sacrificial. This tragic contrast between Juliet’s love for Romeo deepening, but her family’s love becoming rage, emphasises hate’s connection to love. Initially, Romeo appears focussed on looks - shown by extravagantly hyperbolic description of beauty. Later, natural imagery reflects their natural love: “This bud of love, by summer’s ripening breath, May prove a beauteous flower ...” Ultimately, both commit suicide, to be together, showing their love has become deep and sacrificial. Whilst Luhrmann places a ...

This is a preview of the whole essay