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- 11/12 Romeo and Juliet death count
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a) Why do you suppose the 1968 film version of Shakespeare’s play has fewer deaths than in the original story?
I think the film has fewer deaths because it feels like the story is more driven on Romeo and Juliet’s love rather than their house feud.
b) Please post your theories and whether or not you feel the fewer deaths is an improvement or not over the original play.
I wouldn’t say it’s an improvement, but it does add more sweetness to their romance. The film version also makes it much easier to visualize and enjoy it since the language is dense and difficult to understand at times. There is no need for so many deaths in the film because it’s very clear the feud between both houses, and how frequent they argue/fight with each other. But honestly, I don’t really know why the film has fewer deaths than the original story.
Gabby,
This film was made during the Viet Nam war and one of the slogans of the youth of that era was to “Make Love, Not War.” Yes, their romance was the main focus. Also, this was the first time that actual teenagers were playing the main characters, and their youth was emphasized in the posters and ad campaigns.
a) Why do you suppose the 1968 film version of Shakespeare’s play has fewer deaths than in the original story?
I suppose that the film has less death because in the film it’s more about the love between Romeo and Juliet and it is more focused between them.
b) Please post your theories and whether or not you feel the fewer deaths is an improvement or not over the original play.
I think that it does add an improvement because it tends to have more romance between Romeo and Juliet. But the film shows how both sides Montague and Capulet hate each other and in the film, it does show how they were injured. Within the few words among both sides, they tend to fight each other violently with their swords. I agree that the film has a better understanding of romance between Romeo and Juliet even though one’s Montague and one’s Capulet.
Yes, WeiPeng,
This film was made during the Viet Nam war and one of the slogans of the youth of that era was to “Make Love, Not War.” Yes, their romance was the main focus. Also, this was the first time that actual teenagers were playing the main characters, and their youth was emphasized in the posters and ad campaigns.
a) Why do you suppose the 1968 film version of Shakespeare’s play has fewer deaths than in the original story?
Because the tale revolved around the primary characters, there were fewer deaths in the film version than in the original story.
b) Please post your theories and whether or not you feel the fewer deaths is an improvement or not over the original play.
I believe there were fewer deaths because we all know the two sides have a profound hatred for each other and fight all the time; we can only presume that with all the fighting comes death. It’s not necessary to display it every time it occurs; instead, concentrate on the actual love narrative.
Yes, Shania, but the deaths of Paris and Lady Montague were not due to “gang violence.” Shakespeare created them and their deaths.
Did Hollywood improve on his creation? Something changed along the way. It seems the other film versions omit those deaths too.a) Why do you suppose the 1968 film version of Shakespeare’s play has fewer deaths than in the original story?
The 1968 film version of Shakespeare’s play has fewer deaths than in the original play because it focused on Romeo and Juliet’s love.
b) Please post your theories and whether or not you feel the fewer deaths is an improvement or not over the original play.
I feel the fewer deaths is not an improvement over the original play because some characters had less importance in the film, such as Paris. Originally Romeo and Paris fought outside the tomb where Juliet was held which lead to his death. However, in the film it never happened.
True, Angel, but in the film Romeo’s grief is quite touching. Had he just killed Paris, would we think of him in the same way–as the above-the-crowd hero?
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