Appropriation of Romeo and Juliet

Discuss the annexation of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespe be and Romeo+Juliet by Baz Luhrmann Texts and ideas from school texts are appropriated and transformed into opposite text forms and other com determines in a different mount. An appropriation is a text that is appropriated or taken over by a nonher composer and presented in a new way. Romeo and Juliet is a well-known high culture text that is a tragedy about two younker star-crossed hunchrs whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. In the 1997 film, Baz Luhrmann has taken what is valued about the original animate of Romeo and Juliet the themes, evocative no handsclature and poetry, the interminable storyline and humour, and has placed it in a scene which is accessible and appealing to a modern audience.This essay will demonstrate how and why Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet has been appropriated and valued for modern audiences in relation to variations in the reactions to the text over time, differences and similarities between language, settings, prologue and chorus, themes, characterisation, techniques, values and contexts, as well as different readings of the revive and other appropriations. Shakespeares time was an age of great change, as the old ways were being questioned, and more(prenominal) than any other Renaissance figure, Shakespeare exposed an ability to spend the past and shape it for his own dramatic needs.As a result of this, his ideas and storyline in Romeo and Juliet were being questioned. The earliest registered critic of the play was diarist Samuel Pepys who, in 1662 wrote it is a play of itself the worst that I ever heard in my life story. Ten years later, the poet John Dryden wrote Shakespeare showd the best of his skill in his Mercutio, praising the play and its comic character Mercutio. In the mid-eighteenth degree Celsius, source Charles Gildon and philosopher Lord Kames argued that the play was a failure in that it did not follow the classical conven tions of drama.However, writer and critic Samuel Johnson thought it to be one of Shakespeares most pleasing plays. It is evident that Romeo and Juliet has received mixed reactions, but also gained value by responders as the context has changed over the years. In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare applied two specific aspects of life in Renaissance Italy to create the complication of his play. The first was the level of bloody interfamily disagreements that fast Italian cities uring the Renaissance era, and the second was the fashionable approach to hunch, based on the poetry of Petrarch (1304-1374, an Italian poet who wrote about love). However, Shakespeare does not simply adopt and recount history instead he modified the civil wars of the period into a minor war a family feud that takes place in a stable state. Also, he contrasted the fiction act of the Petrarchan lover with the experience of a young man who is truly in love (Romeo). Baz Luhrmann approaches his new var. of Romeo+Jul iet with the corresponding intent.He entertains contemporary viewers by using modern ideas to convey the values embodied in the play and the impossible love, hate and sorrow that are the essence of Shakespeares tragedy. Introducing these very(prenominal) ideas in a different context has proven the value of Shakespeares storyline and the importance of the morals associated with it. An aspect of Shakespeares play and Luhrmanns film that varies is the setting. The play is set in the 16th century in Verona, whilst Baz Luhrmanns film takes place on Verona B apiece, 20th century times, resembling Los Angeles.The setting of the film is a outstanding contrast to the Elizabethan England of William Shakespeare hence the attitudes expressed in the film vary from those conveyed in the play. This also contributes in articulating the contemporary attitude to religion, violence, duty, etc and how it has signifi idlertly changed from those of 16th century England. A major feature that Luhrmann h as maintained in his film is the original Shakespearean language that characterises the play.Although the meaning of particular sentences has been changed, other parts fall in been emphasised. An illustration is Mercutios speech at Sycamore grove, the dialogue is very similar, Her wagoner Queen Mab, a small grey-coated gnat And in this state she gallops night by night and this has been reiterated by close up shots of Mercutios face, showing his emotions. Also the famous line O Romeo, Romeo wherefore art thou Romeo? is from the original play and has been reinforced by an offer gaze from Juliet, showing her love for Romeo.This shows contemporary audiences Luhrmanns ability to capture the core of the tragedy through traditional Shakespearean text, and that even though the context has changed over the years, the language of Shakespeare is highly valued and pondered by the majority of people. In addition, a difference in the film by Baz Luhrmann, compared to the play by Shakespeare i s the prologue and chorus. In Shakespeares original production, the chorus would have entered the Globe Theatre, and to gain the audiences attention, would yell Two households, both a homogeneous in dignity and the rest of his part.In Luhrmanns portrayal of the chorus, he instead uses close up shots of a television with an African American woman delivering a news report. Whereas Shakespeares audience were aurally dependent, modern audiences intrust immensely on visual aspects of Luhrmanns Romeo+Juliet. The use of the television caught the contemporary audiences eye and the African American woman represents the historically important legacy of the civil rights pitch-black movement, which is another aspect that appeals and relates to a modern audience.This shows that the variation in context has led to new values which Luhrmann has incorporated in his film, proving his appropriation of Romeo and Juliet is much more superior to Shakespeares play for a contemporary audience. A vital c omponent and similarity in Shakespeares play and Luhrmanns film are the themes. Baz Luhrmann has kept the same themes and ideas from the original play in his film which shows they are actually timeless and can impact on all audiences, no matter what age they are a part of. One of the key themes in the play and film is love.When Romeo sees Juliet for the first time, he forgets his former love Rosaline and falls genuinely in love with Juliet. She in turn responds to him with a love that is innocent and eager. Another important theme in the two texts is hate. Peace is destroyed by the hatred that the Montagues and Capulets feel for each other and the causes of this are not important, the results are. The love of Romeo and Juliet provides a strong contrast to the hate and are aspects of the play that do not have to be modernised.Hate and love can be interpreted as the duality of kind-hearted life hence even though the context of the film has differed from the play, these two themes rem ain to be just as relevant today as they were in Shakespeares time. Furthermore, Baz Luhrmann has taken a modern panorama on each character, giving them character traits that may have only been hinted at in Shakespeares play. An example is the different representations of Romeos first meeting with Juliet at the masked ball.In Shakespeares play, the use of language conventions such as sexual innuendo, as well as the line And palm to palm is the holy plamers kiss portrays Juliet as either being a guarded character who is not interested in Romeo to an otherwise much more sexual and suggestive personality. On the other hand in the film, Juliet is conveyed as a flirtatious and completely exotic character. In the scene where she meets with Romeo, Luhrmann reinforces Juliets sensual eye movements, with close-up shots, as she gazes past the look for in the fish tank to lock with Romeos eyes.Shakespeares characterisation of Romeo and Juliet appealed to the late 16th century audience, howev er as times have changed, so has the context, and Luhrmann expresses his characterisation of the couple as a way of reaching out to his young and contemporary target audience. Additionally, it is vital to remember that in the 17th and 18th centuries, plays were enacted in theatres and Shakespeares audience came to the play with a significant level of aural exposure, whereas Luhrmanns film is more visually developed. Hence, a key variation in the two text types is the techniques used.Shakespeare has expressed his ability to use diverse language to appeal to his audience. An example is the balcony scene of Act II Scene II, when Romeo says It is my lady, O it is my love, reinforced with hyperbole two of the fairest stars in all the heaven, exaggerating the view of Juliets sparkling eyes. Another example is Shakespeares use of puns and bawdy or sexual jokes, which can be seen in Act I Scene IV, when Romeo, Mercutio and Benvolio discuss going to the Capulets party A torch for me Let want ons light of heart, Tickle the ill-considered rushes with their heels. (Romeo jokes about the ladies at the Capulet party being immoral when they are actually respectable). An additional language feature evident is the use of similes It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night like a rich jewel in an Ethiops ear. Romeo says this line to describe Juliet when he first sees her. The Elizabethan culture understood the puns, the sexual jokes, as well as the language that is found so ancient and old in the 20th century. All these language conventions prove that Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet to entertain his audience, writing inwardly the context of his culture.On the other hand, Baz Luhrmann has adopted a style very much of his own in creating the film Romeo+Juliet. To appeal to a contemporary audience, Luhrmann has used two-fold visual techniques. One example is the use of costumes, at the Capulet ball Tybalt was dressed as a devil. This shows his evil and violent personality, rep resenting the theme of violence and hatred. Camera contribute is another technique used effectively an example is in the final scene when alternating close ups of Romeo and Juliets fingers moving are shown, which creates dramatic irony as we see Juliet waking up just as Romeo prepares to kill himself.Luhrmann also uses playful humour which can be seen when Romeo stumbles over to reach Juliet, appealing to his young audience. In addition Latin and punk music, a childrens choir and a production number is used in the film to create a blissful and contemporary atmosphere. It is evident, throughout the use of modern technology and visual techniques, Luhrmann has successfully made his appropriation of Romeo and Juliet much more superior to Shakespeares play, for a modern audience. Moreover, a variation in values between the play and film is The Wheel of Fortune and religion.During Shakespeares time, it was widely believed that fate and/or dowry was the main controlling force in life. Ju st as a part of a wheel moves from a low to a high position or from high to low, so does a mans life. Hence, Shakespeare used this value to portray the idea of as to what extent fate and to what extent human foolishness and error, contributed to the final tragedy. On the other hand, Luhrmann takes what implications of religion there are in the play and makes them a key visual focus in his film.Romeo and Juliet have a relationship that is based around the church, and there is usually a cross or other religious symbol in the scenes in which they appear, further the story to be viewed in a Christian context. Luhrmann uses his Christ imagery as a way to show contemporary audiences that the young lovers play a Christ-like role in their families sacrificing themselves for the final peace between their families. Because of the lovers sacrifice, Verona has hope for life, just as Christians in the world have hope for life because of their Saviour (God).Hence, Luhrmanns Romeo+Juliet conveys the values of its original context whilst relating to his modern audience by depicting current social issues which make it more relevant and comprehensible to the audience. Furthermore, as the context of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare has changed, so has peoples interpretations of the play. Early psychoanalytic critics saw the complication of Romeo and Juliet in terms of Romeos overconfidence developing from ill-controlled, partially disguised enmity, which led to Mercutios death and the lovers suicide.In the late 1900s, critics such as Julia Kristeva focused on the hatred between the Capulets and Montagues, arguing that this hatred caused Romeo and Juliets passion for each other. Juliet for example, speaks of my only love sprung from my only hate and usually articulates her love through an anticipation of Romeos death. Feminist literary critics debate that the blame for the family feud lies in Veronas patriarchal society. For example, Coppelia Kahn, a feminist critic believes th e firm, manlike code of violence implied on Romeo, is the main force driving the tragedy to its end.In this view, the teenagers become men by involving themselves in violence on behalf of their fathers. Juliet also obeys a female code of purity and obedience and she demonstrates this by allowing others, such as the Friar to brighten her problems for her. This shows that Romeo and Juliet has had many different readings over the years and critics values, professions and cultures can have a major influence on their interpretations. In addition, Luhrmanns Romeo and Juliet is not the only appropriation of Shakespeares play. The play has been adapted numerous times for stage, film, musical and opera.David Garricks 18th century version modified many scenes, removing material then thought of as offensive, and Georg Bendas adaption excluded much of the action and added a happy ending. Performances in the 19th century, such as Charlotte Cushmans, updated the original text, and centred on gre ater realism. In 1935, John Gielguds version reinforced the Elizabethan culture and costumes, and kept very close to Shakespeares text. In the 20th century, the play has been diversely adapted, including the 1950s musical West look Story and the 1996s MTV-inspired Romeo and Juliet.It is evident that Shakespeares play Romeo and Juliet has a timeless storyline as well as powerful themes and language, and has been appropriated multiple times as the text is highly valued. In conclusion, it is now clear that William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet is highly valued and Baz Luhrmann has taken what is valued about the original play the themes, evocative language and poetry, the timeless storyline and humour, and has placed it in a context which is accessible and appealing to a contemporary audience.The variations in the reactions to the text over time, differences and similarities between language, settings, prologue and chorus, themes, characterisation, techniques, values and contexts, as w ell as different readings of the play and other appropriations has shown how and why the text has been appropriated and remains immensely valued. It is through appropriations like Luhrmanns, which have continually rekindled the fire to enable the original storyline of Romeo and Juliet to be perceived by an ever changing audience.