The Character of Luhrman in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

The Character of Luhrman in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

In my essay I will set out to consider whether Mr Luhrmans masterpiece

obscures or illuminates the original text of Shakespeare Romeo and

Juliet. In 1992, film director Baz Luhrman set out to construct a

modern day version of Romeo and Juliet. The blockbuster was set in

modern day Mexico City. Luhrman used this urban setting as the

original setting, Verona. The setting is proposed to remind viewers of

a characteristic American city such as LA.

His aim was to establish a new audience to the excitements of

Shakespeare by using a blend of dazzling imagery, music and action.

Luhrman also uses a variety of professional techniques such as Montage

and Juxtaposition.

“Two households, both alike in dignity,

In fair Verona where we lay our scene.”

The design of Shakespeare’s prologue is to acquaint the audience to

the characters. In Luhrmans opening, the prologue is illustrated with

media imagery. I feel this works well because it ties in with modern

life. Luhrman also uses rapid cutting clips to draw in an action

thrilled audience. It keeps the audience thrilled because of its

prompt energetic movement.

Another technique used is repeating language to help the audience

acclimatise to it. I feel this is and admirable idea because the most

off-putting aspect of Shakespeare is often the language and by

duplicating it, it gives the audience more chance of understanding it.

Another technique used is imagery of fire and newspaper headlines to

show the conflict and hatred between the two houses.

The fire signals danger, rage and devastation, whilst the newspaper

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...n has ended this and would opt for a

more positive ending to put a more positive spin on Romeo and Juliet’s

love. Instead I feel Luhrman has made their love feel negative and

downbeat. I think Luhrman gave the film a negative ending to

dramatically improve the ending and to have a twist at the end than

having the same old happy ending.

I though Baz Luhrman had succeeded in a seemingly impossible task of

modernising Romeo and Juliet. I feel he did the best he could under

the circumstances although on occasions it did obscure the text. I

feel 75% of the film worked, while the other 25% slightly obscured the

text. I feel using techniques such as repeating 13th Century text,

imagery of water and imagery of fire worked well with the play and

overall I feel Luhrman did a marvellous job. I exceedingly enjoyed

the film.