Romeo and Juliet - Play vs. Movie

Essay by FujiwaraTakumiJunior High, 9th grade November 2004

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Romeo and Juliet - Shakespeare vs. DiCaprio

Films are made with the directors different personal opinions based on the original source. In the movie version of Romeo and Juliet (1996, Leonardo DiCaprio), the above illustrates this perfectly. For this essay, I will discuss some of the contrasts between the original play, and the film. I hope you find this essay informative.

First, I will discuss some of the plot changes that were implemented to adapt to a modern day movie's visual capabilities. If we were to read just the play, the only pictures we would see would have to be imagined. Since we now have the ability to see a movie, the director had to change some of the story to help us visualize some of the scenes. One such example is when, in the play, Tybalt recognizes Romeo's voice at the Capulet masked ball. When Tybalt hears him, he becomes enraged.

In the film this is different, Romeo takes off his mask at the fountain, and forgets it there. As Romeo is following Juliet, Tybalt sees him; however, the results are the same. Tybalt becomes angered, and vows to get revenge on Romeo. Another example of a change in plot is when Romeo visits the apothecary. Romeo, in the movie, sees the apothecary in Verona, where as Romeo sees him in Mantua, in the play. Finally when Romeo and Juliet kill themselves, the Friar does not see them first, and the Prince does not say that Mercutio and Paris were his kinsmen.

Next, I will show you a change in the timing of the story. An example of a change in the timing is (during the play) when Romeo first meets Juliet. Romeo says some romancing words, then kisses Juliet. While she is being kissed, the Nurse calls...