Romeo & Juliet appropriation

In contrast, in Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet", the opposite was the case and Romeo and Juliet would have been seen as very disobedient to their parents. Through this stylised acting, the film assumes modern attitudes to filial duty.
             Luhrman's film is splashed with colourful religious icons. From Tybalt's vest depicting the Virgin Mary to Friar Lawrence's tattoo of the crucifix and Juliet's crucifix necklace. This strong religious symbolism appears very superficial because the city of Verona is ruled by chaos and violence. This represents the contemporary attitude towards religion because it illustrates how religion has in some ways lost its meaning. .
             In addition, Baz Luhrman's "Romeo and Juliet" is a successful appropriation because it reflects the audience's attitude to violence. In the Elizabethan period, violence was a nobler concept seen as a means of conserving one's honour and family pride. Contemporary attitudes point out the futility of violence and the film reflects this by making the violence farcical and less serious. .
             Whilst the film effectively represents contemporary attitudes to filial duty, religion and violence, it also maintains the sense of tragedy and inevitability that makes Shakespeare's work such a timeless masterpiece. This is achieved through the opening monologue which tells the audience of the fate of the two "star cross"d lovers." The recurring flash forwards remind the audience of the tragic but inevitable end of Romeo and Juliet. The sense of tragedy in the film is also magnified enormously through the dramatic irony. Juliet opens her eyes and watches unknowingly as her lover poisons himself. This increased dramatic irony makes the two lover's deaths far more tragic and moving than in the play. This together with the contrasting mix of popular culture and classical music adds to the emotion and suspense of the film. .
             Baz Luhrman's "Romeo and Juliet" succeeds brilliantly as an appropriation because it guards the clever and beautiful Shakespearean language that characterizes the play.