BRETON
Florian
3e A
English
Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet
William Shakespeare was probably born in 1564 because we have only got his baptism
certificate, and he died in 1616. He was an English poet and a playwright, and he is recognised as one
of literature’s greatest influences. He wrote about 37 plays, 154 sonnets and several poems. He wrote
many tragedies at the beginning of the 17th century, including Othello, Macbeth and Hamlet and
Romeo and Juliet in 1592. Moreover he wrote poems including The Passionate Pilgrim and sonnets.
He married Anne Hathaway and they had got three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet.
Finally Shakespeare called his play Hamlet because his only son Hamnet died when he was a little
boy.
The Elizabethan theatre also called the English Renaissance theatre, refers to plays performed
in England during the reign of Elizabeth I and after, until the closure of theatres in 1642. It includes
William Shakespeare’s plays and many other famous playwrights. The plays were based on English or
European history, many plays were about kings’ lives, as Richard III by Shakespeare. This genre also
included tragedies like Romeo and Juliet or comedies.
Romeo and Juliet tells the story of two adolescent lovers in Verona. The play is set in Verona
where the Montagues and the Capulets are enemies. Juliet Capulet is promised to marry Paris. Romeo
Montague and his cousin go to a Capulet ball dressed up as Capulets. During the party Romeo meets
Juliet and they fall in love but their love is impossible because they are son of the Montagues and
daughter of the Capulets. Romeo and Juliet want to marry secretly but there are many barriers. A fight
breaks out, Romeo kills Tybalt. The Prince bans him for that. Romeo goes to Mantoue. Brother
Laurent suggests then to Juliette taking a potion which will give her the appearance of a dead woman.
Romeo has to receive a letter telling that is false but he doesn’t receive it. Thus he sees Juliet, thinking
that she is died, he kills himself. She wakes up too late, she sees him dead and she commits suicide.
The families are reconciled by their children's deaths and agree to end their violent feud.
Romeo and Juliet’s film (1996) is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play. Indeed
the film is based on the same story with the original dialogue but the Montague and the Capulet are
represented as warring business empires and swords are replaced by guns. In fact it’s the story of
Romeo and Juliet not in 16th century but in 20th century, that’s why some names are changed (like
Friar Lawrence become Father Lawrence or Prince Escalus become Captain Prince.)
In my opinion the film is set in the South of America. Indeed basically the film set in shining place but
also because Romeo and Juliet could represent the love story between Black people and Write people
in part of America where racism has been stronger. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire
Danes in the leading roles.
According to me Romeo and Juliet is a love story so it’s a story for girls but this version
changes my mind. Indeed this version is more virile and less concentrated on the romance, the feeling
of brotherhood is for me more intense than in the Shakespeare’s version. The fact that the setting takes
place today, that swords become guns, that the ball becomes a big party, modernizes and attracts
young public like me. Finally I recommend Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet because it’s a popularized
Shakespeare’s version and it’s easier and funnier for young people than Shakespeare’s play. Maybe
this film could arouse interest for Shakespeare and his great works.
Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet, 1996
The Last Kiss of Romeo and Juliet, Francesco
Hayez, 1823