Romeo And Juliet Comparative Essay

Both William Shakespeare and Baz Luhrmann explore common themes and ideas of authority and duty and family implications in their works, universal themes which are transferable between contexts, and parallels between fiction and reality. The challenge of political authority is universal in William’s Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet,” where authoritative figures strive to uphold social order, hindering the pursuit of love, and Baz Luhrmann’s film “Strictly Ballroom”, criticising the misuse of such authority to maintain traditional norms.Additionally, "Romeo and Juliet" portrays the struggle against deeply ingrained patriarchy within families, requiring the protagonists to confront societal norms in order to achieve their desires. In contrast,

This highlights Scott's predetermined fate within the rigid constraints of the federation's rules, emphasizing the illusion of freedom in a system where true deviation is penalized. Barry Fife's comment serves as a stark reminder that despite apparent choices, conformity remains the path to success in this authoritarian structure. Dissonant to Romeo and Juliet, where authority is reestablished through political power and the divine right of kings, in Strictly Ballroom, it aims to maintain order within traditions and conformity. Additionally, both composers, explore themes of authority in a similar manner when discussing the rebellion of it. This is displayed as Barry Fife confronts Scott to dance with Tina Sparkle, urging him to conform and seize the opportunity presented to him.In the following scene, Scott openly challenges Barry's statement and rejects his strongly suggested proposal, asserting his independence and rebellion against authority. The utilization of cross cuts further emphasised the intensity of the moment, which allowed audiences to view the character's internal turmoil

Paris approaches Capulet seeking permission to marry Juliet, sparking Capulet's consideration of his daughter's readiness for matrimony. In response to Paris’s proposal, Lord Capulet metaphorically compares Juliet's readiness for marriage to the ripening of fruit, "Let two more summers wither in their pride Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride," revealing his patriarchal control over Juliet's life choices, portraying her as a passive participant whose future hinges on paternal approval. This highlights the pervasive influence of patriarchal norms in Elizabethan society, where women's destinies were often shaped by familial expectations and societal conventions, reinforcing their subordinate roles within familial hierarchies. Capulet's decision reflects a broader societal framework where individual desires are often secondary to familial in which the father's decision is paramount, illustrating the complex interplay between personal autonomy and external authority in matters of love and marriage. Resonant to Romeo and Juliet, Bazz Luhrmann portrays familial influence over the female lead through a male, father role. This is displayed when Scott invites Fran to try out with him for Les for the competition. Overjoyed, Fran and Scott walk back to Fran's house late at night, but Fran suddenly falls and tells Scott