Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet x2 Modern technology is often used to bring old classics up-to-date and make them relevant again, putting them in a familiar context that more people can understand, like the big screen. I believe that Luhrmann accomplished this, in his adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, by employing new technology smartly in the movie. On the other hand, the fact that Zeffirelli's adaptation does not employ this technology does not affect the play negatively.
Starting the movie with an anchor woman explaining the situation between both families immediately lets the spectator know that the director is taking a modern approach. The use of guns and race cars in the first scenes also tells everyone that this will be a different
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I arrived at this conclusion with the help of the scene where Romeo kills Tybalt and also the discussion in class. Some people complained about how, in Luhrmann’s portrayal of Tybalt he seems cowardly (when compared to Zeffirelli's Tybalt) , because he ends Mercutio’s life by stabbing his back. My theory is that maybe Luhrmann was trying to let us see how when we rely on technology and forget about “old” values like courage and chivalry we become small and selfish beings. This definitely brings a new perspective and dimension to the table.
In Zeffirelli's version we see that the highest power is the king, but in Luhrmann’s justice (the police) is the power that replaces the king. This also reflects the modern approach he successfully gave the spectators through this production. It’s a fact that when reading anything one should try to see it in the social context that existed when it was created, I think Luhrmann’s version of Romeo and Juliet effectively captures the way society behaves now. We still go through the same issues and problems that were present in Shakespeare’s times, we just handle them in a different manner and with different