The Evolution of the Classic TaleThe Evolution of the Classic TaleA Presentation By: Jordan McKnightA Presentation By: Jordan McKnight

TheThe History of Romeo and History of Romeo and JulietJuliet

Arthur Brooke’s Arthur Brooke’s poem, poem, The Tragical The Tragical History of Romeus History of Romeus and Julietand Juliet (1562)(1562)

William William Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet (1596)(1596)

““Shakespeare made Shakespeare made significant changes to the significant changes to the

story’s timeline and structure story’s timeline and structure in order to enhance the in order to enhance the

dramatic momentum, give the dramatic momentum, give the lover’s plight a sense of lover’s plight a sense of

urgency, and add suspense.”urgency, and add suspense.” –Ryan McKittrick, –Ryan McKittrick, How Romeus Became RomeoHow Romeus Became Romeo

George Cukor’s George Cukor’s 1936 film 1936 film

adaptation of adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet.

Leslie Howard and Norma Leslie Howard and Norma Shearer in the 1936 film Shearer in the 1936 film

directed by George Cukor.directed by George Cukor.

Franco Zeffirelli’s Franco Zeffirelli’s 1968 version of 1968 version of Romeo & Juliet, Romeo & Juliet, starring Olivia starring Olivia

Hussey and Leonard Hussey and Leonard Whiting.Whiting.

Elizabethan Era ClothingElizabethan Era Clothing

Men: boots, breeches (pants), a shirt, a Men: boots, breeches (pants), a shirt, a jerkin (vest), and a hat. jerkin (vest), and a hat.

Women: shoes, an over and underskirt, Women: shoes, an over and underskirt, a shirt, a bodice, and a hat. Hair is a shirt, a bodice, and a hat. Hair is generally long and braided.generally long and braided.

Clothing was a direct indication of Clothing was a direct indication of wealth. The cost of clothing was related wealth. The cost of clothing was related to the cost of fabric and the color.to the cost of fabric and the color.

Elizabethan style clothing styles were Elizabethan style clothing styles were used to design the costumes.used to design the costumes.

Baz Luhrmann’s Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 film 1996 film

William Shakespeare’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet, Romeo + Juliet,

starring Leonardo starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire DiCaprio and Claire

Danes.Danes.

““Shakespeare uses heritage in his Shakespeare uses heritage in his plays, but he does so in order to plays, but he does so in order to

say vital things to the present. His say vital things to the present. His plays have got to be adapted in plays have got to be adapted in order to evolve. That’s how he order to evolve. That’s how he

stays alive…The best Shakespeare stays alive…The best Shakespeare is always Shakespeare made is always Shakespeare made

contemporary.”contemporary.” -Professor Jonathan Bate,-Professor Jonathan Bate, The University of Warwick The University of Warwick

Shakespeare’s StoryShakespeare’s Story ModernizedModernized

Made for a contemporary audienceMade for a contemporary audience Set in Verona Beach (filmed in Mexico)Set in Verona Beach (filmed in Mexico) Used Shakespeare’s original text, but shortened it Used Shakespeare’s original text, but shortened it

by more than one third.by more than one third. A modernized look used throughout the film; they A modernized look used throughout the film; they

created a contemporary world complete with created a contemporary world complete with modern references and neon signs.modern references and neon signs.

Costumes were also modernized. Capulets vs. Costumes were also modernized. Capulets vs. MontaguesMontagues

Music played tremendous role in shaping the Music played tremendous role in shaping the modern feel of the movie. modern feel of the movie.

Lurhmann’s screen adaptation included Lurhmann’s screen adaptation included costumes with a very modern look.costumes with a very modern look.

Romeo as he enters the Romeo as he enters the sepulcher to see his beloved sepulcher to see his beloved

Juliet one last time.Juliet one last time.

Romeo and Juliet ballet Romeo and Juliet ballet performances.performances.

““A fully animated A fully animated feature fantasy feature fantasy about two star about two star

crossed seals from crossed seals from warring families warring families that fall in love that fall in love against their against their

parents' wishes.” parents' wishes.”

Messiah College’s theatre production of Messiah College’s theatre production of Romeo and Juliet.Romeo and Juliet.

“Shakespeare’s classic love story is transformed into a techno-tragedy “Shakespeare’s classic love story is transformed into a techno-tragedy for the Internet generation.”for the Internet generation.”

Korean film Korean film version of the version of the

Romeo and Romeo and Juliet story.Juliet story.

The EndThe End