From the Renaissance to the modern world: comparison of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film adaptation

Abstract

William Shakespeare is regarded as one of the most influential playwrights and writers. Even though his work dates to the Renaissance, specifically the 16th century, it still resonates with us today. One of his seminal works is Romeo and Juliet, a tragic tale of two lovers sealed by feuding families. Set in Verona, Italy, the story has won millions of fans and inspired many artists to adapt it for film, theatre, and books. In the adaptations, the main point of the story remains the same, but the themes and execution differ significantly, especially visually. Personally, I was most interested in the 1996 film adaptation. This adaptation was directed by Baz Luhrmann, who cast Leonardo DiCaprio (Romeo) and Claire Danes (Juliet) in the lead roles. But how does Baz Luhrmann’s work specifically differ from Shakespeare's story?