Preview

Shakespeare Adaptations

Satisfactory Essays
Open Document
Open Document
253 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Shakespeare Adaptations
The modernised adaptation of the prologue has effectively conveyed numerous important themes and ideas from Shakespeare’s original script: Romeo and Juliet * The theme of love is still evident through our adaptation. This is shown through the medium shot used, which lets the audience see hand actions, whilst also seeing the facial expressions between the two lovers, where we are seen their expressed emotions.

* Since the prologue was adapted, it was chosen that the head of the Capulet and Montague households were to wear mostly black, to symbolise death and mourning. This colour was worn even before the deaths of the lovers, to express that something negative was going to happen.

* Furthermore, the head of the two households were changed from men to women, to symbolise the changes in society. This shows how women are not at an inferior position to that of men in this modern society, but somewhat equal.

* Props were included throughout the adaptation of the prologue, which made the film seem more realistic. Romeo killed himself not with poison, but instead with an overdose in pills, which is a common occurrence in today’s society.

* Dramatic music was combined with fast paced flashes of still pictures, cresting suspense leading up to the finale.

* Through the scene with Mrs Montague and Mrs Capulet, it is evident of the hatred between these two families, through their body actions. Their arms are folded, and they are not looking towards each other. A wide shot is used to portray how far apart they

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Luhrmann has created different impressions of the families by distinguishing their reactions in situations. This image is a sinister portrayal of evil and sin. Luhrmann uses a close up shot on the Capulets to suggest the seriousness and control that the Capulets obtain. Fast framing has been deliberately used to express the Montagues panic and unawareness of how to respond. The fear of the Montagues is also portrayed by the way their voices become high and comic. Their whimpering indicates the Montagues fear of the Capulets.…

    • 2003 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    From the very beginning of this tragic play, hate is shown by various characters of both the Montague house and the Capulet house. The Montague’s and the Capulet’s are both wealthy families and have a feud that continues to grow throughout the years. Their hate against each other has even grown upon the servants of the house.…

    • 730 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Texts and ideas from texts are appropriated and transformed into other text forms and other compositions in a different context. An appropriation is a text that is appropriated or taken over by another composer and presented in a new way. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a well-known high culture text that is a tragedy about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. In the 1997 film, Baz Luhrmann has taken what is valued about the original play of ‘Romeo and Juliet’; the themes, evocative language and poetry, the timeless storyline and humour, and has placed it in a context which is accessible and appealing to a modern audience. This essay will demonstrate how and why Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’ has been appropriated and valued for modern audiences in relation to: variations in the reactions to the text over time, differences and similarities between language, settings, prologue and chorus, themes, characterisation, techniques, values and contexts, as well as different readings of the play and other appropriations.…

    • 2536 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare's prologue is read by a chorus, which explains the situation, and tells us that we are in Verona." Two households, both alike in dignity" this tells us that the two families are both well-off and of high importance. "A pair of star-crossed lovers take their life," this tells us that the ill-fated lovers (Romeo and Juliet) will in the end die. The prologue tells the audience that…

    • 980 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Men received greater respect; an ascribed dominant identity. Their ideas and needs were considered a necessity; they were entitled to decide their own destiny. Women however, had to meet societies expectations. A married woman has achieved her purpose in life. When Mr. Bennet tells his wife she is as handsome as her daughters, she says that she has had her share of beauty but doesn't pretend to be anything extraordinary now.…

    • 2674 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Instead of choosing a set of lines from the actual play, I chose to recite the prologue under the category of “Fate or Destiny”. The prologue is quite famous for its foreshadowing and prediction of what will come of Romeo & Juliet. The whole theme of fate and destiny is one of the core lessons behind the classic tale. Shakespeare used the two young lovers and their tragic journey as the perfect story line. The story of two young kids in love and the hardships that are involved in an intimate relationship is a plot that we have seen in countless numbers of books, poems, plays, and movies.…

    • 475 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Romeo& Juilet

    • 360 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In this essay I will be comparing two scenes within the play that convey similar and contrasting themes. The themes I have chosen to contrast are love, hatred, loyalty, time and fate. I will also look at how Shakespeare uses these themes to characterise the protagonists and antagonists, moving it towards its tragic denouement. The scenes I have chosen are Act 2 Scene 2, the famous balcony scene, in which Romeo and Juliet fall deep into blinding love and agree to marry; and Act 3 Scene 1, in which a terrible fight breaks out between Tybalt and the Montagues, resulting in Tybalt and Mercutio's deaths, and Romeo's exile. I have chosen these scenes because they show such contrast that it is hard to believe that they are in the same play. They also uses a wide range of themes that are used in very different ways within the two scenes, as well as this, the scenes are two of the most romantic and exciting of the entire play.…

    • 360 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The play is about a ‘pair of star crossed lovers’ who are the victims of the ‘ancient grudge’ their two families are embroiled in. Although it is a play about love, it does not come without its violence and conflict, for the play opens and ends with exciting and tragic brawls between the two families, Montague and Capulet.…

    • 493 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In the segment of the screenplay, Romeo is convincing an apothecary to illegally sell him a poison many would say that this action is extremely impulsive. In conclusion, the actions of Romeo could altogether the result in the demise of Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt and Paris; the action of the other merely acted as a catalyst.…

    • 1197 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Romeo and Juliet

    • 704 Words
    • 3 Pages

    William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet foreshadows the execrable endings and dreadful fates of “A pair of star-crossed lovers” (Prologue.6). By chance of destiny, the characters Romeo and Juliet unite, wed, and die. William, as he does a plethora of times, reveals this affair with the use of foreshadowing. Shakespeare utilizes foreshadowing to bestow a relief to his audience as well as keep them interested simultaneously.…

    • 704 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Shakespeare Macbeth

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages

    In any Shakespeare play we can almost always point out foreshadowing. It’s a crucial element to tragedies and suspenseful stories, and very crucial to be able to understand when reading Macbeth by Shakespeare because the story of Macbeth is mainly composed of events that have been hinted one after another. Macbeth is about a soldier (Macbeth) who is told by three witches, prophecies. One that Macbeth will become Thane of Cawdor and two, that Macbeth will be king of Scotland and three, that Banquo’s children will inherit the Scottish throne. The only way that Macbeth can think of a way to become king is to kill the current king, King Duncan.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The life of shakespeare

    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Comedy is a potential site for social disruption and a medium for a message of dissent. Discuss whether this is true of ‘The Merchant of Venice’.…

    • 1980 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    This critique compares the original version of the prologue of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to two German translations written by August Wilhelm Schlegel (1979) and Frank Günther (1995). The prologue introduces the audience into the main storyline of the play and outlines that they will get to hear of the sad story of the heroes’ death-marked love, their parents’ ongoing rage and ultimately their tragic death.…

    • 975 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Although the Friar is wary of Romeo and Juliet’s relationship, he immediately agrees to be Romeos ‘assistant’ in hopes of turning their ‘household’s rancour to pure love’ and unites the lovers with a ‘faithful vow’. The friar not only disregards his ‘misgivings’ but also plays privy to the relationship and marriage of the ‘star-cross’d lovers’. The priest inadvertently feeds Romeo and Juliet irresponsible and extreme ideas and devises to ensure that their love will live on. When Juliet came to him with ‘wild looks’, Friar Lawrence suggests that Juliet take a sleeping potion before her ‘marriage’ to Count Paris and feign death until the arrival of her lord, Romeo. This again necessitates the use of dishonesty for Juliet to her parents. When Romeo receives news the ‘death’ of his ‘true love’ he jumps to conclusions and purchases a vial of poison to take his own life with. Friar Lawrence was not prepared for this turn of events though he devised a plan that Romeo should ‘know our drift’ things did not occur so and Romeo takes his life. When Juliet awakens to find poison be Romeo’s ‘timeless end’ she too takes her life after the friar had unintentionally promoted and encouraged the hasty decisions of the two lovers. Although the friar had kind-hearted intentions he was ‘miscarried’ and consequently was responsible for the bereavement of Romeo and…

    • 906 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Melody was used to deliver the mood, energy, and feelings through tempo and rhyme. The use of literary devices such as metaphor, was to exaggerate the significance of love. Additionally, I collaborated with an expertise when filming my music video; a director, to help capture many footages at different angles. Therefore, collaborating with this new partner, we made technological decisions upon which scenery and style to follow. I had to present my ideas with good articulation and clear opinions, being willing to accept any…

    • 1260 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays