Romeo and Juliet Influence of Context - 717 Words

The opening prologue to Romeo and Juliet is heavily shaped by the context of the Elizabethan period. The Elizabethan era was a truly religious time in England where astrology and supernatural beliefs controlled the way a person was treated if they had medical issues. The people of the era believed in a specific hierarchy; this was known as the Great Chain of Being. It is believed that God was the ruler of everything followed by angels and arch angels, humans, animals, plants and minerals. The prologue of Romeo and Juliet is written in sonnet form which created a contemporary feel to the play. Shakespeares sonnets were popular among the English of the time period and they came to watch his plays in the Globe Theatre. His prologue in Romeo†¦show more content†¦The theme of fate and fortune in Romeo and Juliet is shown by the line ‘A pair of star-cross’d lovers take their life’. The word, ‘star-cross’d’ portray that the two lovers, Romeo and Juliet, will meet because the stars are aligned for them. This shows that fate is a concept in Shakespeares play. Fortune was a big part of the Elizabethan world and was believed to be the main controlling force in life. From zodiac signs to the wheel of Fortune, Elizabethan’s believed in fate and theShow MoreRelatedCritical Analysis Of Romeo And Juliet1197 Words   |  5 Pagesabout the ideal. In the novel â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† scripted by William Shakespeare the â€Å"pair of star-crossed lovers (Prologue, 5)† named Romeo and Juliet, do not follow through with this process, and these actions evidently lead to the worth of their lives. Shakespeare’s work is still as impeccable to the modern literary world as he has made a significant contribution to English Literature through both his poems and plays. When analysing and reading his work in context, it provides an insight into theRead MoreThe Dramatic Impact of Act 3 Scene of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1568 Words   |  7 PagesThe Dramatic Impact of Act 3 Scene of William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet, and in particular Act 3 scene 5 is full of dramatic tension, fuelled by various themes. Among the most prominent of these themes are those of secrecy, conflicting public an private worlds, dramatic irony, and the major contrasts in the beginning of the scene when compared to the end of the scene. Many of the stark contrasts that fill the play are clearly seen inRead MoreRomeo And Juliet Movie Analysis852 Words   |  4 PagesRomeo and Juliet is a true lovers’ tragedy, an epic masterpiece written by William Shakespeare in the peak of his creativity. It bears the existential dilemma of how to chase true love when all the odds are undeniably stacked against the seeker. The original play, first published in 1597, features the troubled paths of two star crossed lovers whose families despise each other with passion in deep extents. Over the centuries, there have been many interpretations of this play in various forms rangingRead MoreWilliam Shakespeare s Romeo And Juliet1150 Words   |  5 Pages Romeo+Juliet, a kaleidoscopic film directed by Baz Lurmann, is an intriguing modern interpretation on Shakespeare’s 16th century romantic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet, which has been appropriated to suit the audience and context of modern day society. Lurmann said in an interview, â€Å"Shakespeare had an amazing genius for capturing who we are and revealing it to us. My job is just to re-reveal it.† Lurmann successfully appropriated Shakespeare’s original ideas of conflict, violence, love and death, whichRead MoreRomeo Juliet: A Dramedy to Remember1358 Words   |  6 Pageselements from his tragedies, Shakespeare set a clear division between the lighthearted ambiance found in A Midsummer Nights Dream and the heart wrenching despair that pervades Hamlet. However, Folger Theatre has cleared this divide with fervor. Romeo Juliet, a play that was once the epitome of tragic theatre, is no longer pigeonholed to the tight confines of tragedy in regards to mood and tone . While the original dialogue and themes are unchanged, and the show is still classically categorized asRead MoreThe Theme of Love Presented in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1630 Words   |  7 PagesThe Theme of Love Presented in William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet Love, or a lack of it, is a very central theme in Romeo and Juliet and often is the root of many arguments in the play. It is very difficult to group love as just one thing as there are many versions of it. A love which the capulets particularly, seem to possess is a love of material possessions and power. For example, the Capulet ball (and subsequent plans for the marriage) is an indication of wealthRead MoreAppropriation of Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare and Romeo+Juliet by Baz Luhrmann2533 Words   |  11 PagesDiscuss the appropriation of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ by William Shakespeare and ‘Romeo+Juliet’ by Baz Luhrmann Texts and ideas from texts are appropriated and transformed into other text forms and other compositions in a different context. An appropriation is a text that is appropriated or taken over by another composer and presented in a new way. ‘Romeo and Juliet’ is a well-known high culture text that is a tragedy about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding familiesRead MoreLiterary Devices852 Words   |  4 Pagesspeeches or a situation of a drama and is understood by the  audience but not grasped by the characters in the play. i.e: In Romeo and Juliet, when Juliet drinks the sleeping potion and falls asleep. While she is sleeping, Romeo walks into the tomb, sees Juliet sleeping, and presumes her to really be dead. The audience knows she has just taken the potion, but in the play, Romeo does not know this. End Rhyme - A rhyme in the final syllable(s) of a verse. i.e And therefore is Love said to be aRead MoreBaz Luhrmanns Modern Version Of Romeo and Juliet1300 Words   |  6 PagesBaz Lurhmann’s creation of the film Romeo and Juliet has shown that today’s audience can still understand and appreciate William Shakespeare. Typically, when a modern audience think of Shakespeare, they immediately think it will be boring, yet Lurhmann successfully rejuvenates Romeo and Juliet. In his film production he uses a number of different cinematic techniques, costumes and a formidably enjoyable soundtrack; yet changes not one word from Shakespeare’s original play, thus making it appeal toRead More William Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet1869 Words   |  8 PagesWilliam Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet In Romeo and Juliet, love is depicted in several ways. Both Luhrman and Shakespeare represent love in different ways in different contexts to both the Elizabethan era and the contemporary audience. Both the original and later manifestations of the text are valued because they both communicate to the audience on the values of love and society by employing a variety of devices. The central subject dealt within Romeo and Juliet is the subject of love.