Shakespeare plays were presented in a formal manner; - even jokes were approached in a subtle and reserved manner. Luhramm’s presented it in a preposterous and farcical manner to amuse and entertain the audience. A farce is a comic play in which authority, order and morality are at risk and ordinary people are caught up in extraordinary circumstances. Therefore Luhrmann’s rendition of the original

could be considered as a parody, by some people. Such people would have the argument that the formality and the elegance of Shakespeare’s work are not appreciated as the audience would be more attentive to the ridicule. The petrol station scene, there is a violent commotion between the Capulets and the Montagues. This is portrayed in a farcical manner. Before the bullets are fired, one of the Montague boys is being hit repeatedly over the head by a lady. As bullets are fired, the very same Montague boy is so hysterical and petrified that he goes berserk with his gun and continuously shoots the petrol station sign. This is done in such a way that encourages laughter and ridicule from an audience, while the point as to why the character is shooting is missed.

Romeo and Juliet was the classic play originally written by Shakespeare and performed in a formal and moral manner. Luhrmann text is a modernised version with a change of setting, change of personality of characters but still conveys the same story as Shakespeare’s original

Some topics in this essay:
Romeo Juliet, Capulets Montagues, Capulet Montague, Mercutio Benevolio, Verona Beach, luhrmann’s version, romeo juliet, farcical manner, bullets fired montague, characters luhrmann’s version, characters luhrmann’s, petrol station, capulet montague, bullets fired, altered extent, priest priest, characters original,