Analysis of the Film Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet
Analysis of the Film Adaptation of Romeo and Juliet
Many movies have been adapted from books. Several of these movies do not follow the books precisely. Although the movie Romeo and Juliet directed by Baz Luhrmann has the same basic elements as Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, there are several differences that exist amongst them.
The setting of both the movie and the book vary. The book takes place in Verona 16th Century times, while the movie takes place Verona Beach, 20th Century times. The setting of Shakespeare was more of the Victorian era while Fuhrman set his movie in modern times. (Nelson)
Despite their obvious differences in setting, both share the Shakespearean dialogue such as, “O Romeo, Romeo? Wherefore art thou Romeo?” and, “You kiss by th’ book.” (Movie).
The characters of Romeo and Juliet were the same in both the movie and the book. Romeo, the son of Montague, is one of the two main characters. He falls desperately in love with Juliet. They have a secret love because only the nurse and Friar know. However, due to the fact that he thinks Juliet’s dead, he ends up committing suicide at the end of both the movie and the book. Juliet, the daughter of Capulet, is the other main character. She loved Romeo as much as Romeo loved her. She had to get secretly married because her father wouldn’t grant her permission. At the end of both the movie and the book she ends up taking her life because she sees Romeo is dead. (On-line)
Paris, a young count, kinsman to the prince, is one of several minor characters. He is the one to whom Juliet is to be married. Paris is in love with Juliet, but Juliet does not reciprocate his feelings. In the beginning, Paris is unaware of Juliet’s feelings for Romeo. Even in the very end Paris thinks Romeo is at the gravesite to destroy the tomb. Tybalt, a nephew to Lady Capulet, is another minor character. He is Juliet’s cousin and is not of Juliet’s relationship with Romeo. He has greater loyalty to Juliet’s father then Juliet herself. He ends up killing Mercutio in both the book and the movie. Mercutio, a friend of Romeo and kinsman to the prince, suspected the...