Essay On Zeffirelli's Interpretation Of Romeo And Juliet

The Zeffirelli interpretation of Romeo and Juliet is more accurate to the original play when compared to Luhrmann’s interpretation. Although Luhrmann’s interpretation is geared towards a more modern audience, he does not successfully stay true to the original. When examining one of the most iconic scenes, the balcony scene, the setting in Zeffirelli’s is more accurate. This scene is taking place in the garden outside Juliet’s window and on her balcony. The architecture of the balcony is accurate to one that people of the time period would’ve had and the garden authentic to the play. Romeo and Juliet meet on her balcony and have some physical contact but it is not excessive because she is on the balcony and he has to climb up to her. In Luhrmann’s interpretation Romeo is in the courtyard of Juliet’s mansion. She comes out an elevator and he follows her around and listens to her speak. He scares her and they fall into the pool. The addition of the pool
Romeo is just coming from the party with his friends so he wears tights and a shirt with puffed out sleeves. This is something that men of the Elizabethan era would’ve worn. Juliet has been in her chambers and is wearing a nightgown. The original play doesn’t say much about what they’re wearing but we can infer that this is close to what they would wear. The Luhrmann interpretation has Romeo wearing fake chainmail, paying homage to original play. This is not completely accurate to the times but it does make sense. Juliet is wearing a white dress and a cross necklace. The introduction of this necklace adds an element that wasn’t needed and didn’t give the necessary effect. When Romeo is saying goodbye to Juliet she gives him this cross necklace, possibly to signify her giving herself to him. In the play, the only thing Juliet could give Romeo that night was her word, the addition of the necklace takes away that