Context
Context for Romeo and Juliet
It is important as actors we notice all the differences between modern day theatre and Elizabethan theatre as it highlights how much theatre has changed throughout time whether in a negative way or a positive way. These changes can be deciphered through things like modern day technology or different acting styles etc.
In terms of technology, modern day performances are enhanced by the use of microphones which causes the audience to be able to hear and understand everything the actors are saying clearly. Stage lights also help with enhancing theatrical experience as they can direct and re direct light for audience members to focus on certain aspects. In comparison to Shakespearean theatre when lights weren't accessible, the actors were forced to draw attention to themselves, meaning the use of melodramatic acting was often used to capture the audiences attention. The stage lights are also smartly used to hide stage and prop changes swiftly. Music also plays a part too, musicans were present in the Shakespearean theatre, however, the difference now is that music has sound effects and any kind kind of music at any time. The projection of sound from live musicians also projects more efficiently in modern day theatre. Before, theatres could only be in open arenas causing background noise and other outside noise to disrupt with sound within the theatre.
Another difference is in modern day theatre men and women are both allowed to play an active role. However, in Elizabethan era, women were forbid from participating in this sort of career. In those times women were not accesible to many rights and evidently men had more power/ say when it came to things in society including careers. Theferfore a career in such a public setting was not permitted for women to play, even for a female role. Men played both male and female characters. For women roles, they were often played by teenage boys due to their bodies not being fully developed as a man, it was easier to disguise as a female.
Love, tragedy and relationships are ongoing themes during Romeo and Juliet know, particularly between the main protagonists Romeo and Juliet. "Love is violent, ecstatic, overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties, and emotions". This is evident in their relationship where going against all the odds of them being together they still connivingly get Friar to marry them. Another form of evidence of this is at the end of the play when Romeo and Juliet kill themselves in the name of love and surprisingly the Capulet's and Montague's ended their feud. Although love is seen as a positive theme, in this play love was also seen as a form of destruction, let's not forget it is Romeo's toxic 'love' for Juliet that drove him to suicide which lead to the unfortunate ending of the play.
How do we make Shakespeare relevant in 2017?
We can help make Shakespeare relevant in modern day by combining modern day features to enhance the performance in it's benefit. For example, implementing modern day language, modern day technology such as lights and sound effects etc.
Another way Shakespeare is made relevant in this day is the current role Shakespeare plays in life of the youth today. Shakespeare's plays are taught all over the country for compulsory subjects such as English literature and Drama, so it is common among a lot of youth to have knowledge of Shakespeare and his work. Also, in this modern day, people are more prone to use technology as its more swift and time efficient than having to sit down and open a book. Shakespeare thankfully has his plays all over the internet where you can read from the comfort on your own phone, or on a laptop/computer screen. Shakespeare also has audio books as well.
Although Shakespeare's work has helped with its adaptment to modern day culture, there are some aspects of his work that are unchangeable and might not work in his favor to help make him relevant. For instance, the language used in Shakespeare's work is so far gone with today's language as it has changed so much throughout the years, young people simply won't understand it and will therefore most likely not have an interest in it.
In terms of technology, modern day performances are enhanced by the use of microphones which causes the audience to be able to hear and understand everything the actors are saying clearly. Stage lights also help with enhancing theatrical experience as they can direct and re direct light for audience members to focus on certain aspects. In comparison to Shakespearean theatre when lights weren't accessible, the actors were forced to draw attention to themselves, meaning the use of melodramatic acting was often used to capture the audiences attention. The stage lights are also smartly used to hide stage and prop changes swiftly. Music also plays a part too, musicans were present in the Shakespearean theatre, however, the difference now is that music has sound effects and any kind kind of music at any time. The projection of sound from live musicians also projects more efficiently in modern day theatre. Before, theatres could only be in open arenas causing background noise and other outside noise to disrupt with sound within the theatre.
Another difference is in modern day theatre men and women are both allowed to play an active role. However, in Elizabethan era, women were forbid from participating in this sort of career. In those times women were not accesible to many rights and evidently men had more power/ say when it came to things in society including careers. Theferfore a career in such a public setting was not permitted for women to play, even for a female role. Men played both male and female characters. For women roles, they were often played by teenage boys due to their bodies not being fully developed as a man, it was easier to disguise as a female.
Love, tragedy and relationships are ongoing themes during Romeo and Juliet know, particularly between the main protagonists Romeo and Juliet. "Love is violent, ecstatic, overpowering force that supersedes all other values, loyalties, and emotions". This is evident in their relationship where going against all the odds of them being together they still connivingly get Friar to marry them. Another form of evidence of this is at the end of the play when Romeo and Juliet kill themselves in the name of love and surprisingly the Capulet's and Montague's ended their feud. Although love is seen as a positive theme, in this play love was also seen as a form of destruction, let's not forget it is Romeo's toxic 'love' for Juliet that drove him to suicide which lead to the unfortunate ending of the play.
How do we make Shakespeare relevant in 2017?
We can help make Shakespeare relevant in modern day by combining modern day features to enhance the performance in it's benefit. For example, implementing modern day language, modern day technology such as lights and sound effects etc.
Another way Shakespeare is made relevant in this day is the current role Shakespeare plays in life of the youth today. Shakespeare's plays are taught all over the country for compulsory subjects such as English literature and Drama, so it is common among a lot of youth to have knowledge of Shakespeare and his work. Also, in this modern day, people are more prone to use technology as its more swift and time efficient than having to sit down and open a book. Shakespeare thankfully has his plays all over the internet where you can read from the comfort on your own phone, or on a laptop/computer screen. Shakespeare also has audio books as well.
Although Shakespeare's work has helped with its adaptment to modern day culture, there are some aspects of his work that are unchangeable and might not work in his favor to help make him relevant. For instance, the language used in Shakespeare's work is so far gone with today's language as it has changed so much throughout the years, young people simply won't understand it and will therefore most likely not have an interest in it.
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