Texts are impacted by historical periods in which they are composed. Texts are a representation of the values and ideas held by a society. Shakespeare’s fated love story, Romeo and Juliet and Luhrmann’s film adaptation (1996) explores religious ideas influenced by each time period. Romeo and Juliet reveals the values and attitudes of each society regarding the importance of religion to morality and changing gender roles. Significantly, the themes and construction of the text Romeo and Juliet is inspired by the circumstantial aspects from a certain time period.
Throughout history Religion has held significant power over society. Religion is a powerful theme throughout the play as it moulds the decisions and conclusion of the tragedy. Religion
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However the consideration for religion had degraded. The conservative, highly respected religious aspect was tainted resulting in a crass, violent and superficial society. The language and symbols for religion remained but the hidden dark elements, creating a 1990’s society shone through. This created a ‘gang-warfare’ spectacle, which was a common scene in the 1990’s. The idea of an indelicate society, and rivalry interlacing with religion, illuminates Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet. For instance, Juliet does not wish to marry Paris, so she visits Friar Lawrence for aid. Juliet holds the gun up to her temple, threatening to kill herself. This suggests the impact of modern context because in the Elizabethan times suicide was considered a violation of Gods law. She then threatens the friar with a gun, demanding he deliver a solution to her problems. This action clearly portrays that she lost all esteem and admiration for Friar Lawrence. Costuming of dark clothing choices and black lighting, creating the effect of silhouettes and a caliginous, daunting mood. The feeling of desperation represented the downfall in the film. Close up shots were used to emphasize Juliet and Friar Lawrence’s emotional state. Their facial expressions were exaggerated by using this technique, which escorts the audience into the characters personal …show more content…
In Shakespearean times society always acted in a carefully considered manner. People were polite and thoughtful and did not entertain overt displays of emotion. Men and women played significantly separate roles in society, the man being seen as the decision maker and the woman being seen as more demure and was responsible for household duties. They were seen as inferior to men and as a result their talents were often suppressed in society. “Tis true, and therefore women, being the weaker vessels, are ever thrust to the wall. Therefore I will push Montague’s men from the wall, and thrust his maids to the wall” (Act 1, Scene 1). Sampson a servant boasts he can use women's vulnerability to his advantage. The words used such as “thrust to the wall” and “weaker vessels” supports the premise that women could be used at will by men for either strategic advantage in society, or alternatively to suppress as was at times the mood of the day. In the Elizabethan era, values and attitudes resulted in a male dominated presence appearing throughout Romeo and
The first factor that played a key part in the deaths of Romeo and Juliet is the fact that Friar Lawrence was a coward. When Juliet awakened after her two-day sleep only to find Romeo and County Paris dead, she is in a very unstable state. Instead of being responsible and staying with Juliet to comfort her and make sure that she doesn’t harm herself or others, he tells her that he will make her a nun “Come, come away. Thy husband in thy bosom there lays dead and Paris too. Come, I’ll dispose of thee among a sisterhood of holy nuns.” (5. 3.166-169). The only selfish reason he wanted to make Juliet a nun is so that no one ever finds out that he secretly married Romeo and Juliet...
Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's first authentic tragedy. It is about two lovers who commit suicide when their feuding families prevent them from being together. The play has many characters, each with its own role in keeping the plot line. Some characters have very little to do with the plot; but some have the plot revolving around them. While the character of Friar Lawrence spends only a little time on stage, he is crucial to the development of the conclusion of the play. It is Friar Laurence’s good intentions, his willingness to take risks and his shortsightedness that lead to the deaths of Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo and Juliet's kissing scenes in the elevator, the alterations of the famous balcony scene in ACT II, scene ii, and Juliet pointing her gun at Friar Lawrence after threatening to commit suicide if she does not get what she wants are minor discrepancies that occur in Baz Luhrmann's production which are not as serious inconsistencies. The discrepancies that take place in Luhrmann's portrayal of the Shakespearean classic are quite different to the play format, primarily because of the modern influence, but all of these discrepancies build up to what is the now the famous "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet."
In Shakespearean time and even up to the turn of the 20th Century men were expected to be the sole provider of the family, entailing them to be either well educated or hard working. They were also expected to be good with the handling of finances and property. It was also acceptable for them to be barbaric, boisterous and socially well connected. This has given the men of this time an overwhelming sense of power, respect and freedom; rights which were not given to women at this time. Far from what was socially acceptable in regards to men, the gender identity of women was of a somewhat weaker nature. Women during Shakespearean time were regarded as docile, quiet and non-opinionated. Their socially acceptable role in many cases was to be domestic, entailing them to spend countless hours in the home, tending to basic familial needs, such as cooking and cleaning. This position prevented many women to receive an education or to socialize outside of the home. As a result of their inferior social status, they were expected to be submissive and to cater to her husband’s needs at all times. Women in Shakespearean time were also treated as property, either by their husbands or fathers, which diminished any sense of self-worth they may have possessed. This gender ideology ultimately paralyzed women, as the majority were helpless to alter their social standing or designated familial role.
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In the age of Rome and Juliet’s creation, many values of society were. different from those we observe in modern day life. Women did not have equal rights, fathers had a lot more authority over their children and arranged marriages were still practiced.
Romeo, as a young adolescence, your brain is not fully developed, which may lead to regretful decisions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, teens have a “tendency to act on impulse -without regard for risk.” Therefore, you may not see how irrational this idea is; although, you will when it is too late. Also, Friar Lawrence has devised a plan that reunites you and your Juliet. His plan is to fake Juliet’s death, steal her away in the night, and hide the two of you from your families so that you may live happily ever after. When you die in a matter of hours, Friar explains to both houses how the plan went wrong starting with how he gave Juliet a sleeping potion and he claims he, “intended for it wrought on her the form of death.” He continues to say, “Meantime I writ to Romeo that he should hither come as this dire night to help to take her from her borrowed grave.” Finally he pleas that, “Friar John was stayed by accident, and yesternight returned my letter back.” In my ghostly form, I witnessed him explain the unfolding of these events. Take it from me that making this impulsive decision is unwise and will only ruin Friar’s plan. In addition, poor Juliet is unfortunate enough to awaken to your
In contrast to common characteristics of a cleric, conformist and conservative, Friar Lawrence advocates freedom over following rules in society and always try to solve issues using the most risky methods. This is illustrated when he plans out Juliet’s death, “then as the manner of manner of our country is, in thy best robes, uncover’d on the bier, thou shalt be borne to that same ancient vault where all the Capulet lie.” (IV.ii.109-113). He indirectly plays an influence to the tragic ending even though his primal motive intends to unite the lovers and offer citizens a peaceful town. As opposed to playing their ordinary roles in society, Friar Lawrence devises plans and encourages Romeo and Juliet to pursue forbidden love under a risky circumstance in order to turn his notions into reality. Friar Lawrence’s dialogue informs Juliet of the plan illustrates his part in causing the tragedy, “Thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself, then it is likely thou wilt under a thing like death to chide away this shame,” (IV.i.72-74). From secretly marrying the them to sending Romeo to take Juliet’s virginity, he is informed about Romeo’s approaching banishment and the notorious reputation which will follow Juliet permanently. However,he continues to cover the mistake by creating the facade of Juliet’s death. This is illustrated in “All this is I know, and to the marriage he nurse is privy,” (V.iii.265-266). Friar Lawrence challenges conformism to pursue liberty, serves to liberate the forbidden love of two youngsters from opposing families but only earns a tragic fruition for his
His advice to Juliet to fake her own death is a result of her love for Romeo, and the fact that the Friar can’t stop her from marrying Paris, will lead her to the violent act of killing herself. Friar Lawrence’s character is a representation of the idea that love can lead to irrational decisions and violent actions. In conclusion, Friar Lawrence is obligatory to the action, character development, and themes of Romeo and Juliet. Without Friar Lawrence, the steps leading up to the tragedy at the end of the story would not have been possible, along with the strong characterization of Romeo.
Shakespeare introduced the audience to Friar Lawrence, in act one, as Romeo's mentor. Juliet was introduced to Friar Lawrence for her marriage to Romeo. Since the day Juliet met Friar Lawrence, she went to him for most of her challenging obstacles, "Tell me not Friar, that thou hear'st of this, unless thou tell me how I may prevent it." This quote shows how Juliet couldn't resolve her own problems, she depends on Friar Lawrence for her own fate. With resulting to Friar Lawrence all the time, if his resolution did not work she wanted to commit suicide. She believed her only choices were, trust Friar or commit suicide. "If, in thy wisdom, thou canst give no help, Do thou but call my knife I'll help it presently." This quote shows that Juliet will be eased with a knife through her own gut.
Failing to uphold his end of the plan, causing the plan to fail and resulting with both Romeo and Juliet dying. Friar Laurence admits to being responsible for the deaths of Romeo and Juliet. Friar Lawrence made a huge mistake that he could have avoided himself, if only he had thought out his plan better. He trusted Juliet an unstable fourteen-year-old with a potion to make her appear dead just so she would not have to marry Paris. Resulting in the death of herself, Friar Lawrence had even said, "If…thou hast the strength of will to slay thyself…take thou this vial…no warmth, no breath shall testify the livest." He should have been more careful, Friar Laurence's idea for Juliet was very risky and because of his own ignorance has ended up in tragedy. He also admits that he left the tomb and left Juliet there. The Friar knew that Juliet had previously threatened to kill herself, yet he still abandoned her with Romeo's knife. If the Friar truly cared about her safety, he would have forced her to come with him or stayed to prevent her from making any irresponsible
The classic play Romeo and Juliet by the famous playwright William Shakespeare is one of the most beautiful love stories of all time and has captured and inspired readers everywhere. Regardless of the fact that it was written in the 1500’s, it is still being performed and extolled today. There is a multitude of reasons for such continuance of the play. First of all, its everlasting themes of love and hate enable people to deeply relate to the story. Secondly, its memorable characters deeply imprint on the minds of readers. And lastly, above all, is its magnificent language which many writers today regard in awe. These three elements make the acclaimed play, Romeo and Juliet, one of the most timeless stories of our lives.
Countless people all around the world are familiar with the idea of the famously tragic tale of two star-crossed lovers in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Their heart wrenching love story has been an inspiration for many literature pieces throughout various genres and later cinematic works of art. The young couple was not only memorable for their passionate, devoted love, but also the tragic events that ultimately lead to their death. One aspect of the play that has a strong impact on the audience is Shakespeare’s use of charismatic and compelling language seen throughout the play. The unique personality traits used to describe Romeo and Juliet allows many to relate to the young lovers. Shakespeare’s use of descriptive language, allows the audience to understand the societal expectations, beliefs, and values set out for the men and women of Verona, Italy. Romeo’s character, however, can be been seen defying these expectations and also
Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet is a film that converts Shakespeare’s famous play into a present-day setting. The film transforms the original texts into modern notions, whilst still employing Shakespearean language. Compared to Franco Zeffirelli’s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, Luhrmann’s picture is easier for a teenage audience to understand and relate to because of his modernisations. Despite the passing of four centuries Shakespeare’s themes of love, hate, violence, family and mortality remain the same regardless of the setting.
In his novel, Othello, he uses the courage of the women in his literature to depict how women should be treated, and to contrast from how little respect they once obtained. The society in Shakespeare’s Othello is strongly dominated by men who were the political and military leaders of their homeland during the Elizabethan era. These men are expected to stay loyal to their reputations and to uphold the strong sense of character that earned them their positions in the first place. In contrast, during the Elizabethan period of time women were viewed as weak second-class citizens and inferior to males, with their only job being to serve their men.
Simon Virk Ms. Tsang ENG201-08 02/17/16 Unnecessary Suicide The tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, published in 1597 by William Shakespeare, is a suspenseful and romantic story about two lovers whose love cannot part them from their feuding families. Although they were responsible for killing themselves, there are certain individuals who influenced them to commit suicide. Those who are most responsible for the unfortunate deaths of Romeo and Juliet include Friar Lawrence, for his selfish desire to be a hero, Capulet, for imposing an ultimatum and his disconnection from his daughter, and the Nurse, for her irresponsibility and betrayal to Juliet. Friar Lawrence’s unwise and poorly crafted plans led to the lover’s death.