Q: Compare the Baz Luhrmann and Shakespeare’s text types - themes/values (act 3 scene 1, act 1 scene 5, act 2 scene 2)
A: Through a comparative study of Baz Luhrmann and Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet we see that Shakespeare’s underlying values/themes are kindness, fear, love and betrayal and are kept and appropriated by Luhrmann for a modern context. Shakespeare wrote his plays for his Elizabethan crowd. He takes humanity's biggest flaws and then proceeds to entertain us with them. Luhrmann understood Shakespeare. Luhrmann used modern recontextualisation to allow Shakespeare's message to thrive on. The Baz Luhrmann's 1996 Romeo + Juliet film is a modern appropriation of the Shakespeare text written in 1595. The opening scene recapitulates the rest of the film. The anachronism is evident throughout the act 1 scene 5, act 2 scene 2 and act 3 scene 1 as the script is identical to Shakespeare’s. When watching the appropriation we can see major changes to modernise Shakespeare’s play such as the prologue being read out on a television and the use of guns rather than swords. Luhrmann can still intrigue the audience with this old script as the morals and ethics of Shakespeare's play are abiding. When analysing the text types one can conclude that the mise en scene, symbolism and foreshadowing are the key elements.
The first device, mise en scene, is seen immediately during act 3 scene 1. What one connotes with colours are certain feelings and this is evident as the Tybalt death scene commences. The sky is bright and yellow which signifies peace and happiness but as the play continues it becomes grey until it is filled with storm clouds. This change of feelings is shown through the actors as well as we start off with friendly gestures within the Montague household, however the Capulets come and as the sky turns darker the argument becomes intense until guns are drawn and Mercutio dies. Shakespeare’s play does not have colour within it however he can portray these feelings through words. “I pray thee, good Mercutio, let’s retire. The day is hot; the Capulets, abroad; And if we meet we shall not ‘scape a brawl, For now these hot days, is the mad blood stirring.” Through this language in which Benvolio speaks he tries to convince Mercutio that they should go home because Capulets are lurking around. They are in a bad mood as it is a hot day and people are angry. If they bump into one they will end up fighting them. When one thinks of hot they think of the colour red which we we also connote with the feeling of anger. Through both text types these feelings through colours are portrayed whether it is through words or visual images. The atmosphere of the play is intimidating and Luhrmann creates suspense through a non diegetic violin playing a high pitched piece in the background. The audience is presented with a run down auditorium or amphitheatre which could be hundreds of years old to create a suspenseful scene. This is also a reference to the Elizabet...
