Romeo And Juliet Movie Vs Play Analysis

Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast
The story of Romeo and Juliet written by the all famous William Shakespeare is truly inspiring. Two star crossed lovers from families that hate each other change this feud around by dying to be with each other. Compared to the original play, Romeo and Juliet the movie by Baz Luhrman has a better representation of the story because the setting relates more to present day and the props and costumes grab the attention of the audience.
Comparing the movie and the play has to start somewhere, so lets start by comparing the different settings. The original play is set back in ancient Verona, Italy 400 years ago, the movie on the other hand is set in present day Verona Beach, California. The play states, "Two households, both alike in dignity (In fair Verona, where we lay our scene), From ancient grudge break to new

mutiny, Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean." The movie shows present day qualities such as the buildings and the technology. This point stays true to the thesis because the setting is changed to present day because it helps the people of today relate the the movie a little better than they would the play.
Secondly, the props are two whole different worlds. Let's start with the weapons, for in the play the weapons consist of swords and daggers and the movie uses guns. The story states, "I have my naked sword out. Fight, I’ll back you up." Another example is the differences in transportation. The play utilizes horses as a form of transportation whereas the movie uses cars and trucks. Also the forms of communications are totally different the movie uses public figures such as the police and the postal service to relay messages. The movie also uses people such
Smithee 1
as Friar John and the Nurse.

This is yet another example of how the movie is better than the play. The movie is able to grab the audiences' attention more when using modern day props.
Another example of the movie being better is the fact that the costumes are totally different for each story. For example, in the play the women wore dresses and hats and the men wore long white undershirts and tights.The play says, "The movie on the other hand uses a more modern fashion including floral shirts and shorts for the men and the women wore dresses and t-shirts. An example from the movie is when Romeo is about to leave Verona Beach and Friar Lawrence gives him a floral shirt to wear. This proves my point because it is interesting to see an old play modernized and set in the world of today the clothes show this.
The movie Romeo + Juliet by Baz Luhrman is more interesting than the play because the setting and props relate more to the people of today and really connect with them, and the costumes are very interesting. How else is the movie better than the book? Could it be the music, the plot, or possibly the

characters?