William Shakespear’s Romeo and Juliet is a classic tragedy which tells the love story of two star-crossed young lovers from two warring families. My appropriation of Act 1 Scene 5 will be set in modern day Sydney, at the time of the Olympic Games. The scene is a pivotal moment in the play as is the moment when Romeo and Juliet first meet, and their love is instantly sparked. My appropriation will tell the story of two talented gymnasts who travel across the world from very contrasted backgrounds to compete in the Olympic Games. A central feature of the play is the Capulet and Montague’s conflict, which would be represented in my appropriation through the athlete’s countries which they are representing in the Olympics. Romeo will be representing Russia, which largely follows a communistic belief system, and Juliet will be from America, which is celebrated for it’s freedom and is very contrasted to Russia in the modern day. The historical and social conflict of these two countries will demonstrate the external conflict between the two lover’s “families”. …show more content…
Their instant attraction will be highlighted as Romeo flirts, Juliet responding nervously and playfully. The language he employs in their first conversation reflects this captivation with her physical beauty. Both characters then soon realise their dilemma as their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Juliet’s personal coach (nurse) who is very fond of her as she trained Juliet for over a decade. The coach recognises that Romeo is a Russian gymnast, and quickly rushes Juliet out of the