Analysis of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Analysis of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

“Romeo and Juliet” was written in the mid 1590’s and it was played

over and over again for people in Shakespeare’s time. The play was set

in Verona, Italy, and this would likely be because the country had

some scenes of severe conflicts at that time, which led to some of the

territories to be divided into several pieces; this had some sort of

connection to the dispute between the two families, the Capulets and

the Montagues. Futhermore, Verona was also known for a romantic place,

which immaculately fits in with the love story of Romeo and Juliet.

Shakespeare and Luhrmann, both engage their audience by different

techniques and themes, however their ways they attract their audiences

were different. Shakespeare mainly deals with language devices as this

was the only entertainment at the time, and at that time Shakespere

had some “limits” for example; he did not have any technology to use.

The only way he drew audience’s attention was by linguistic devices

and techniques performed on stage such as the prologue. In general Baz

Luhrmann was the opposite, he engaged his audience by modern

technology, such as editing and using different soundtracks. He used

these not only to engage his audience, but also to highlight what

Shakespeare did.

The opening action of the play takes place in a “public place” in

Verona where two Capulet servants discuss what they would do if they

met a Montague. A comic tone is introduced immediately when

Shakespeare opens the scene with complex puns based on the words

“coal”, “collier”, “choler and “collar” The overall idea is that

Sampson boasts to Gregor...

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...pain of death…” it shows that he is very concerned about maintaining

the public peace at all cost even the death penalty, it also

foreshadows that later in the story something similar might happen

again.

This scene in the movie is presented in a police station, which gives

a sense of discipline. The prince in the play is also given a new type

of character and role, however he still has the same status. The movie

is made more realistic by not having a real Prince and instead a

police chief with the same name.

In conclusion, Baz Luhrmann’s way to engage the audience was much

better and more effective The scenes were made understandlable and

appealing to the audiences, because Baz adopted the simple techniques

very well. Whilst Shakespeare’s techniques were very challenging and

only for some high-level audience.