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email: it: shakespeare on film William Shakespeare s has developed there are few people who choose to expose themselves to the works of Shakespeare because they are intimidated by his works inthe written form in addition to being separated from any venues which might produce his plays. Fortunately, in Hollywood as of late, we are witnessing a resurgence of interest in the plays of Shakespeare and therefore seems be almost inundated with film productions of his greatest plays. As a result, more and more people are venturing to explore what it is that makes William Shakespeare great and by doing so are exposing themselves to his works. Two recent film adaptations ohio plays that have received much attention are the 1996 futuristic adaptation of Romeo and Juliet and the 1990 version of Hamlet. Both of these films are quite successful in their interpretation of the meaning of the plays, however they do have their limitations. In the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet, the viewer sees a completely different version, stylistically, that what William Shakespeare could have ever imagined.
Instead of being set in Elizabethan times with characters dressed in costumes contemporary to that period, this modern version is set in the present withthe characters clothed in costumes contemporary to the 1990 s. Instead of dueling with swords and daggers, the Montague and Capulet boys are participating in gunfights and car chases. Rather than first seeing Romeo across the room at a party in her father s house, Juliet first spies Romeo through an aquarium separating two lavatories in her house something that we would hardly expect to see in a typical production of this play. Although there are many differences between the author s written word and what is displayed in the film version of Romeo and Juliet, it can be argued that themes recent film version is successful in interpreting the true meaning of the play. Leonardo DiCaprio gives avery convincing and stimulation performance of Romeo. He is passionate and daring, everything we expect Romeo be.
In her portrayal of Juliet, Claire Danes is young and untouched. She is lovely and naive, as wella's loyal and emotional. Together, the two actors exemplify everything that this tragic couple was intended to be. They are very convincing in their roland they work well together. The film itself, although set in an entirely different time as what the author ever intended is quite successful in delivering the message of the play. Thetext has not been altered, and the emotions are as pertinent in this present setting as they were in the sixteenth century setting originally intended by William Shakespeare.
The film tells the tragic story of these two star-cross d lovers who met, were married, were separated from each other and who died ultimately because of their names. It is a story of great passion and emotion as well as one of misunderstanding and the hatred that results from that. The film version of this play successfully interprets the relationships and the nuances that make them so compelling. The main feature of this production that makes it so different from past productions is obviously its setting. This version has a hard edge to it unlike other typical ones. It is set in a late twentieth century Verona that is suffering due to the constant violent meetings of the Montague and Capulet families.
The film depicts Verona as a city that once had been beautiful but now has many dirty, worn out slums. It resembles a typical North American metropolis comparable to that of today s New York or Los Angeles. This setting is completely unlike other productions where Verona is seen as beautiful and stately, which is the Verona Shakespeare described. In addition to this the movie is enhanced with contemporary hard rock music that only serves to exemplify the conditions of the city at is shown in the present setting. However different seems, the producers of the film have delivered armstrong movie which is a good, albeit atypical, representation of the written play. Many people believe that drastically altering the setting is fundamentally wrong as it completely goes against and does not reflect Shakespeare s intentions for the play.
It can certainly be argued that Romeo and Juliet is a period piece that finds it s beauty among the streets of sixteenth century Verona. The actions ofthe characters in this play are typically Elizabethan. Both Romeo and Juliet are immediately affected by eachother and separation from one another causes great physical and emotional anguish. Certainly in modern times love is not usually depicted in such a way and betting the play in the present this element of Elizabethan drama will be forgotten.
Moreover, by depicting these Elizabethan characteristics in a modern setting it can be argued that the actions and reactions will be misinterpreted or misunderstood because in this setting we do not expect twentieth century teenagers that as Elizabethan ones. The great strength of this film is that it effectively demonstrates the universal and timeless themes of passionate love and feuds between families. Romeo and Juliet is a play that deals with universal themes such as those, and because these themes are as relevant today as they were when William Shakespearewrote the piece. Because of this it is fair to say thatthe play does not need to be shown in the fixed time anyplace that the author intended. By placing the characters in this new setting, the producers of theism effectively demonstrate that Romeo and Juliet int a play about two lovers in sixteenth century Verona; instead it is about two lovers, from two opposing families, struggling to find a way to be together. Romeo and Juliet s truth and meaning is found in its plot and altering the setting effectively shows how these struggles still occur today.
Another one of William Shakespeare s plays that has recently been produced on film is Hamlet. In fact, this play has been produced for film on two separate occasions in the 1990 s. This essay will deal with the 1990 version of Hamlet that features Mel Gibson. This version is intended more to entertain the viewing audience more so than the Kenneth Brannagh one. The 1990 version is indeed more suited to standard theater viewing as it is much shorter in length than its counterpart. Because of this, it is entirely possible that more people who went to see a film version of this play chose the 1990 one because of its more acceptable length.
This version of Hamlet is indeed captivating and enthralling. It holds the viewer s attention and ivory well put together. The actors in this film production are indeed terrific. Mel Gibson is wonderfully convincing in the title role, he captures Hamlet s antic disposition perfectly and is quite endearing. However it is Helena Bonham-Carter s representation of Ophelia that really stands out. She wonderful in the role of the girl who is driven to madness after her father s death.
The entire ensemble of actors in this production furnishes the viewer with compelling performances that help to make this film ago one. This production endeavors to tell the tragic story of young Hamlet who tries to expose his father s murderer, who happens to be his uncle and new stepfather. It effectively demonstrates all of the most significant events in the play that pertain to young Hamlet. We seem meet the ghost of his father and devise his scheme pretend to have gone mad in order to be able to stayin the castle and keep a watchful eye on his father seller as well as a protective one on his mother. The movie, like the play culminates with the duel between Hamlet and Laertes and the deaths of both these characters as well as Gertrude and Claudius. As a means which to tell the immediate story of the play, this movie does fairly well.
However, the movie does fail intent it eliminates one of the important secondary stories. In an attempt to keep the film at a reasonable length, the story of Fortinbras is omitted. It is important in the development of the characters in the play as Fortinbras father was killed by the late King Hamlet, who is Hamlet s father. This is an important issue because it shows the audience that regardless ofthe esteem placed upon him by his son, King Hamlet was indeed not perfect and certainly not the completely admirable man Hamlet thought him to be.
note to self order of events? ? ? backwards both plays. new group of viewers whenever would have been exposed to willy. good only if not only exposure.
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Research essay sample on Romeo And Juliet Montague And Capulet
