A Moving Image Analysis - Act 1, Scene 1

A Moving Image Analysis - Act 1, Scene 1

"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet"

Baz Luhrmann

• Directed William Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in 1997.

• His mise en scene (the sets, props, colors, etc.), as well as the actor’s movements, help the audience to understand the Shakespearean language of the play. 

  
  

Analyzing the Director's Choices

• Luhrmann’s ideas are emphasized with:

  Oversaturated colors, Clothes, Important words, and Sound effects.

• As well as the use of:

  Modern technology, Freeze frames, and A visual Cast List.

Modern Media

• Luhrmann uses our modern media to communicate to a modern audience the central conflict of the play.  

• This also highlights how news spreads within the play, providing communication about the continuation of the feud. 

The Prologue - To help the audience understand the language of Shakespeare, Luhrmann provides:

• A male voice reading the Prologue

• Words emphasizing important ideas

• Freeze frame on characters to introduce a cast list.

• Visual of the Montague and Capulet skyscrapers on opposite sides of the street [Symbolizing the divide between the two families]

• Newspapers used to show the feuding families have a history. 

Open Ended

What images did you notice from the video of the Prologue that helps to tell the story of the rival families?

Let's Take a Look at the Fight Scene in Act 1, Scene 1.

• Watch the following video clip from Act I, Scene I

• Then, analyze the choices made by the Director to illustrate the feud and character traits.

• Remember to hit the play button on the video clips.

Open Ended

Consider the clothing worn by each character. How does the clothing emphasize a difference between the families and their servants (how does the clothing show they are different)? What does the clothing suggest about each family?

Open Ended

How is Benvolio's character trait of "peacekeeper" communicated with colors, clothing, or props? (consider what charm is hanging from his "sword")

Tybalt's entrance

• Tybalt's entrance into the scene has been compared to a typical scene from an old Western movie.

• Watch the following clip from, "For a Few Dollars More" (1965)

• Notice how Clint Eastwood enters the scene and how similar it is to Tybalt's entrance.

Now Watch Tybalt's Entrance

Consider what the similarities between the movements of Clint Eastwood's gunslinger, bounty hunter, and Tybalt tell us about Tybalt's character traits.

Open Ended

What does it tell us about Tybalt's character trait when he enters the scene like a typical gunslinger from an old Western movie?

Open Ended

How does the sign that says, "Add more fuel to your fire" work to introduce Tybalt's character trait?

Open Ended

How do the props used in this scene help the audience understand what is happening and who the characters are? Discuss at least one prop used by a character. Remember to explain the prop, which character used it, and explain how it helped the audience understand the action in the scene.

The Prince

Notice how Prince Escalus is represented in the film. Be ready to explain why you think the director made this choice.

Open Ended

Describe the adaptation (change) made to Prince Escalus. Why did the director chose to present the Prince in this manner? How does this representation help a modern audience understand the Prince's role in the story?

Keep in Mind

Remember as we continue to study and view scenes from "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," each director has a different vision of the play.

Consider how the choices made by each director affect the audience's understanding of the play.

Here is a more traditional production

Directed by Franko Zeffirelli (1968)

Poll

Which of the two versions did you enjoy the most?

Open Ended

Of the two versions, which one do you think is easier for a modern audience to understand? Explain why with reasons to support your answer.

Thank you

I hope you enjoyed the lesson