William Shakespeare’s Romeo  Juliet

(Directed by Baz Lurhman, 1996)

Plot synopsis by Tracie Cooper

The classic Shakespearean romantic tragedy is updated by director Baz
Luhrmann to a post-modern Verona Beach where swords are merely a brand of
gun and bored youths are easily spurred toward violence. Longtime rivals in
religion and business, the Montagues and the Capulets (…) form rival gangs.
Romeo is aloof toward the goings-on of his Montague cousins, but after he
realizes that Juliet is a Capulet at the end of one very wild party, the enmity
between the two clans becomes the root of his angst. He relies heavily -- and
with serious consequences -- on his rebel gender-bender of a friend, Mercutio,
and Father Lawrence for protection and support. Romeo is, of course, exiled,
and it looks like Juliet will be forced into an arranged marriage with the bland
Paris. It ends, as Romeo and Juliet must, when Romeo hears a tragic piece of
misinformation and brings his suicide wish to what was meant to be Juliet 's
temporary tomb. This time, though, the turf and the weapon of choice have
taken a turn toward the surreal.
In www.allmovie.com

I – ANALYSING THE FILM

1. Characterise Romeo and Juliet.

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2. Describe Juliet’s relationship with her parents.

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3. Considering the film is based on a Shakespeare’s play, identify the modern

aspects of the story.

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 4. Although the play is four centuries old, it focuses themes still relevant for
today’s teenagers. Identify these themes.
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II – WRITING

Imagine you are Romeo or Juliet. Write a page of his/her journal

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III – RESEARCHING

Do a quick research and explain who William Shakespeare was, using your own words.
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Name: ________________________________ No.: ______ Class: ________ Year: ____