Romeo and Juliet William Shakespeare was known as the greatest writer of the English language and has written many famous plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and Othello. In Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet there are many similarities which exist between the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version. As evident in the opening, balcony and the fighting scene. The Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version are similar because they both consist of a lot of action within the opening scene.
For instance, the Zeffirelli’s version takes place in a marketplace where there are numerous people and animals. Similarly, in the Luhrmann’s version, the action begins with glimpses of the city where billboards can be seen in addition to cars and people. This goes to show that both the Zeffirelli and the Luhrmann’s version are similar because the marketplace is very busy with people and much activity. People are buying, selling and interacting with each other. Equivalently, in the Luhrmann’s version, the city is very busy with activity because of all the people, traffic and congestion.
Not only is the opening scene is similar in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version because of much activity but furthermore, the opening scene is similar in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version because of the prince’s arrival in a higher elevation to show that he is the leader. For example, in the Zeffirelli’s version of Romeo and Juliet the prince’s arrival is on a horse to stop the Montagues and Capulets from fighting. In the same way, in Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet the prince (officer) comes on a helicopter to stop the Montague’s and Capulets from fighting.
This goes to show that both the Zeffirelli and Luhrman’s version are similar because of the prince’s arrival in a higher elevation to show that he is the leader. The prince is similar in both the versions of Romeo and Juliet because, in both the versions, the prince is in a higher elevation to show that he is the leader and has more control over the people (Montague’s and Capulet’s) than anyone else. Normally, it is hard for a pedestrian to stop a fight because he/ she doesn’t have much of anything to do about the situation. But, a leader has more control over the situation and can stop it.
Not only is the opening scene similar in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version because of the prince’s arrival but also because of the similarity of the use of colours to differentiate the Capulet’s from the Montague’s. For instance, in the Zeffirelli’s version of Romeo and Juliet the Montague’s and the Capulet’s are differentiated by colour (Montague’s are wearing red and yellow, Capulet’s are wearing blue and green). Similarly, in the Luhrmann’s version, the Montague’s and Capulet’s are differentiated by colour (Montague boy’s cars are yellow, Capulets boy’s cars are blue).
Henceforth, this goes to show that both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet are similar because of the use of colours to differentiate the Capulet’s from the Montague’s. Franco Zeffirelli shows the differences between the Montague’s and Capulet’s by making the Montague’s wear yellow and red, and making the Capulet’s wear blue and green. Correspondingly, Baz Luhrmann differentiates Montague boys from the Capulet boys by making the Montague boy’s cars yellow, and Capulets boy’s cars blue.
If the two families weren’t differentiated by colour than the audience would have trouble determining what family is which. Zeffirelli and Luhrman’s version of Romeo and Juliet are similar because the balcony scene includes animal noises to represent time. For example, in the Zeffirelli’s version, Romeo and Juliet are on the balcony when a rooster crows to signify it is morning. Similarly, in Luhrmann’s version Romeo is hiding behind Juliet when an owl hoots to represent time. Therefore, the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version are similar because the balcony scene ncludes animal noises to represent time.
Normally, we know roosters crow in the early morning to signify it is time to wake up and the sun is about to rise. Just like that, Owls hoot at night because that’s when they are awake and to show it is a late night. This goes to show that in the Zeffirelli’s version, Romeo needs to leave because a rooster is crowing to signify the sun is about to set so he doesn’t get caught by someone. Similarly, in Luhrmann’s version an owl hoots to signify night and Romeo needs to leave because he might get caught by the security.
Not only is the balcony scene similar in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet because they both include animal noises to represent time but also, both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet are similar because they both include the colour of Juliet’s dress (white) to show her innocence and purity. For instance, In Zeffirelli’s version, Juliet is shown wearing a white dress. Similarly, in uhrmann’s version, Juliet is also shown wearing a white dress. Henceforth, this goes to show that Juliet is wearing a white dress in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version to show her innocence and purity.
In colour phycology, the colour white is represented as innocence and purity. In the Christian culture, we wear white robes to purify and baptise ourselves, just like that, Juliet is shown as having a clean conscience. Therefore, in both the versions, Franco Zeffirelli and Baz Luhrmann shows Juliet’s innocence and purity by making her wear a white dress. Not only is the balcony scene in both the Zeffirelli and Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet because they both include the colour of Juliet’s dress (white) to show her innocence and purity, but also both the versions close up camera shots to show Romeo and Juliet’s emotion.
