William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in Baz Luhrmann’s Interpretation

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet
Original Stage Interpretations
Baz Luhrmann’s Interpretation
Differences in the Primary Message Understanding
Conclusion
References

Introduction

William Shakespeare is deservedly considered the most excellent English-speaking writer and one of the best playwrights in the world and may be called the national poet of England. His tragedy Romeo and Juliet is a creative interpretation of a story already present in literature. One of the most striking themes can be identified as the fragility yet sturdiness of love, which despite the obstacles, does not give up until the end and wins in a world with hatred.

Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

The central theme of the work is the struggle with society and circumstances for their feeling of two loving people, love and death. The play is formed in a circular composition, built on parallel confrontations in all five acts. The tragedy of these confrontations is revealed by the duration of the enmity of the Capulet and Montague families – they completely hate each other, and this applies to several generations: “From auncient grudge, breake to new mutinie…” (Shakespeare, 2018, p.133). However, this does not prevent the young offspring of both families from meeting, falling in love, and secretly marrying each other. The romance, passion, and intrigue in this keep the reader or viewer enthralled.

In addition to the importance of love and the value of human life, this play raises the problem of parents not understanding their children. The animosity of the clans cannot be ended even for the sake of their heirs, and the bond between them only fuels the anger: “And I’ll no longer be a Capulet.” (Shakespeare, 2018, 215). On a separate note, neither the Capulets nor the Montagues even remember the original reason for the quarrel, which makes their feud all the more pointless. Only the death of Romeo and Juliet opens their eyes to the horror of the whole situation, and a truce ensues.

Original Stage Interpretations

The play has been staged on stages all over the world for several hundred years in its original interpretation with minor changes. Most of the lines are spoken rather quickly, which corresponds to the overall dynamic flow of the plot and does not contribute to the lingering complexity of the original text. Many modern viewers may find the Shakespearean language challenging to grasp, and a more measured approach to the dialogues might allow for a better focus. However, being overstretched could cause the play to extend and disrupt the dynamic, negatively affecting the audience’s reaction. Nevertheless, this play has been performed consistently on stages at all levels, from high school theater clubs to the world’s most famous theaters.

Costumes, props, and decorations in classical productions of the play try to match those described. In the modern world, the opportunity to plunge into an era of long-gone historical periods is of particular interest and adds to the atmosphere and authenticity of the production. Although theater’s popularity today is much less than it used to be, many people can attest to the presence of their own experience of watching this tragedy in a stage performance.

Baz Luhrmann’s Interpretation

The main difference between Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and the usual stage version is undoubtedly in the setting. However, when the action is transferred to the modern world, the lines of the original work do not change, and although they are not present in the film in full, they remain recognizable (Luhrmann, 1996). The effectiveness of this interpretation can be seen in everything from the minor details to the perfect rendering of the fragility and yet rock solidity of love as the work’s central idea.

The dialogues in this film are fast, but only in places where they are allowed to be fast. The intimate and dramatic scenes are presented to the viewer in a slower and more sensual form. The costumes, musical accompaniment, and characters, with a modern entourage, retain references to the original time of the work. For example, the main characters’ costumes at the masquerade ball are reminiscent of the chivalrous times in which Shakespeare lived and wrote (Luhrmann, 1996). Romeo’s costume symbolizes the knight in shining armor, Juliet’s angelic purity, and Tybalt is evil in the form of the devil: “As I hate hell, all Montagues, and thee.” (Shakespeare, 2018, p.147). Symbolism can be seen even in the details; although all the weapons are modern, their fictitious brands denote the kinds of weapons from the time the play was written; even in the license plates of the cars, one can see references to the original.

The music is chosen quite well and does an excellent job of evoking the viewer’s emotions. It is a significant advantage compared to classic standard productions, usually accompanied by music from Shakespeare’s time, a recognized classic. Many modern people might find this kind of music boring despite its authenticity, and the director probably understood this when choosing modern tracks for his film.

Differences in the Primary Message Understanding

For all the cosmetic differences and the adaptation of the setting to modernity, the basic message of the work is left with the same role and the same meaning. In changing the method of communicating the value of this work to the audience, Baz Luhrmann has allowed minor deviations from the original plot while retaining key markers. Modifying the monk’s role into a holy father does not deprive it of some magical component and remains an anchor in this interpretation. Only the nurse and her role is not fully revealed in the film, perhaps to simplify the audience’s perception. However, the third main anchor, Mercutio, is revealed, albeit unusually, but very decently, and the psychotropic substances he gives Romeo also correspond to the modern understanding of the mystical experience.

The fragility of love in this work is contrasted with its hardness – it can be compared in quality and beauty to a cut diamond. Much of the negativity and animosity in the film, as in the original, is due to the originally specifically exaggerated militancy of the Italians to the point of being comical, a prejudice from when it was written. The play’s final moments always make one think and appreciate the author’s idea of love’s invincibility and healing power if even such vivid opposition has been defeated by it: “A glooming peace this morning with it brings.” (Shakespeare, 2018, p.344). The essence of the opposition of love and hate is relevant, except that malice and enmity have no chance to win.

Despite the deaths of the main characters, love lives on. Due to this, the very idea of love’s fragility is questioned in Baz Luhrmann’s film and any other interpretation: “Thou art not conquered.” (Shakespeare, 2018, p.331). The outcome of the tragedy of the last scene is unpredictable but potentially real and terrible. However, the truce symbolically concluded over the dead young lover’s bodies should dilute the viewer’s bitterness and leave them with hope.

Conclusion

This unique work can teach how to love sincerely and not to give up, to fight for one’s happiness to the very end. Baz Luhrmann’s interpretation, while retaining almost all of the original lines and events, makes it possible to better understand the play’s meaning by transferring it to the modern setting. This interpretation may be more exciting and understandable for young people or people who are not interested in dramaturgy. The making of this film helped to expand the circle of admirers of Shakespeare’s work and emphasize the importance of deep human relationships.

References

Luhrmann, B. (1996).William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet. Bazmark Productions.

Shakespeare, W. (2018). Romeo and Juliet. Benediction Classics.

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