Representation of Love in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

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Representation of Love in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

In Romeo and Juliet, love is shown in several ways. Both Luhrman and

Shakespeare represent love in different ways in different contexts to

both the Elizabethan era and the modern audience. Both the original

and modern version of the text is good because they both show to the

audience the values of love and society in various scenes of the

movies.

The central subject dealt within Romeo and Juliet is of love. William

Shakespeare and Baz Luhrman represent love to their audience beyond

the distinct ideas of love as simple ideas.

The fulfilment of Romeo and Juliet’s love is hindered by external

influences; the most obvious one is the fight between the Capulets and

the Montagues. The feud between them is considered an influence

attacking the relationship between Romeo and Juliet.

When Romeo meets Juliet for the first time, the language and form of

the dialogue shared by Romeo and Juliet is shown as if they don’t care

about anything or anyone else. So this means that the whole story is

played on 2 levels – the public life and Romeo and Juliet’s love.

These levels are both opposing one against the other.

Luhrman presents this concept of two opposing levels as a

representation of love via the use of cinematic techniques. In the

aquarium scene, camera distances vary from medium close-shot to

close-up and back again. The idea of social and physical barriers is

presented by having the fish tank between the two of them, keeping

them apart – telling to the audience that Romeo and Juliet love will

be forbidden one. When they kiss, the cameras encircle them,

suggesting that Romeo and Juliet are at the centre of their own

universe, in total disregard or lack of awareness of what the others

will think this is suggested by the blurred images around them.

The opening scene in the Luhrman version is set in a typical U.S gas

station. It is a busy and open area, much like the market setting

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