How Baz Luhrmann Conveys the Dramatic Nature of 3.1 in His Media Adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

How Baz Luhrmann Conveys the Dramatic Nature of 3.1 in His Media

Adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Baz Luhrmann conveys the dramatic nature of 3.1 by using a combination

of lighting, props, costumes, facial expressions, sound, music and a

variety of camera shots. The scene starts on the beach when Romeo

arrives in a car leaving a trail of dust. He runs up to the other

characters wearing a blue jacket, a white shirt and a flowery tie

which are neutral clothes. The music in the background builds the

climax and emphasises moments such as the car arriving. The camera

angles used are close ups and long shots to show the emotions and the

situation. Romeo runs onto the beach and meets Tybalt, who by

contrast is wearing a very aggressive costume. When Tybalt says, “The

love I bear thee can afford/no better term than this – thou art a

villain,” he is wearing all black and this symbolises anger and

aggression. The characters are still on the beach and back lighting

is used to create shadows and make Tybalt look evil unlike Romeo who

is top lit to create a pleasant character, he has just married Juliet.

Tybalt is presented as angry and close up shots are used to mark this

as a significant moment. The music is gentle unlike Tybalt and you

can hear the waves on the beach. Romeo replies to Tybalt and says,

“Tybalt the reason that I have to love thee,” and when the camera is

on Romeo front lighting is again used and Romeo’s face is angry after

being insulted by Tybalt. Romeo speaks very slowly and is presented

as a close up shot with Tybalt cast into darkness. Tybalt says, “Boy,

this shall not excuse the injuries that thou hast done me . . .” and

as he says this Tybalt becomes a black hole with light not being cast

onto him. Tybalt is very tense and angry and unlike Romeo he shouts.

While this line is presented a long shot camera angle is used to show