Lights, Camera, Action:Shakespeare on Film

• Unit of Study

• Shakespeare’s Biography

• Elizabethan England

• Themes in Romeo and Juliet

• Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet

• Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet

• Group Activities

• Presentations

• Journal Responses

• Oral and Composition Rubrics

• Useful Websites

Unit of Study

• Purpose: – To recognize the key components in Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s

films that contribute to the overall understanding of Romeo and Juliet.

• Objectives: – View both Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet.– Identify the similarities and differences between the two films.– Discuss the highly debated scenes and how each director

portrayed it.– Collaborate on the important use of film in the classroom.– Listen to Video and Sound Clips from both films to foster an

understanding of how sound benefits the films.

Unit of Study Continued

• Class Materials:– Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s film versions– Film discussion questions– Group film activities – Class paper presentation– Journal responses– YouTube Video and Sound Clips– Online reference material

• Standards:– General Language Strand: 2.5: Summarize in a coherent and organized way information and ideas

learned from a focused discussion.– General Language Strand: 3.14: Give formal and informal talks to various audiences and for various

purposes using appropriate levels of formality and rhetorical devices– General Reading Strand: 8.29: Identify and analyze patterns of imagery and symbolism– General Reading Strand: 8.30: Identify and interpret themes and giving supporting evidence from the

text– General Reading Strand: 10.5: Compare and contrast the presentation of theme or topic across genres to

explain on the selection of genres shapes the message– General Reading Strand: 17.7: Identify and analyze how dramatic conventions support, interpret, and

enhance dramatic text.

Unit of Study Continued

– General Composition Strand: 19.27: Write well-organized research papers that prove a thesis statement using logical organization, effective supporting evidence, and variety in sentence structure.

– General Presentation Strand: 25.5: Use group-generated criteria for evaluating different forms of writing and explain why these are important before applying them.

– General Media Strand: 26.5: Analyze visual or aural techniques used in a media message for a particular audience and evaluate their effectiveness.

– General Media Strand: 27.6: Create media presentations that effectively use graphics, images, and/or sound to present a distinctive point of view on a topic.

– General Media Strand: 27.7: Develop and apply criteria for assessing the effectiveness of the presentation, style, and content of films and other forms of electronic communication.

William ShakespearePlease click on the link above to review Shakespeare’s biography

• 1564- 1616• English poet and playwright• Considered the greatest writer in the

English language and one of the first dramatists

• Referred to as England’s national poet and the Bard of Avon (click on link to review information regarding Avon)

• His surviving works include 38 plays, 154 sonnets, 2 long narrative poems, and numerous other poems

• His plays are world renowned, have been translated into all major surviving languages, and are performed on stage more than any other playwright

Elizabethan EnglandPlease click on the hyperlinks to review the aspects of

Elizabethan England

• Queen Elizabeth

• Elizabethan Times

• The Church of England

• Elizabethan Education

• The Tudors

Themes in Romeo and Juliet

• Tragic Flaw• Light v. Dark• Destiny• Suicide• Revenge• Parent/Child Conflict• Love at First Sight?• Romeo and Juliet (Play

Version – click on link for complete e-text)

Famous Quotes

• Romeo: But soft! What light through younder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun! (Act Two, Scene II, line 2)

• Juliet: O Romeo, O Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? Deny thy father and refuse they name;

Or, if thou wilt not, be swore my love, And I’ll no longer be a Capulet. (Act Two, Scene II, line 33)

• Juliet: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet; (Act Two, Scene II, line 43)

• Romeo: O, I am fortune’s fool! (Act Three, Scene I, line 95)

Discussion Questions for Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet – Act One

(We will use these Discussion Questions as we watch the films – please take notes based upon the questions)

• How does Zeffirelli set the tone and mood of the film?

• How are the Capulets shown in the film?• How are the Montagues shown in the

film?• What starts the brawl in the marketplace?• How do we know that Zeffirelli has

chosen to view the entire play seriously?• Why is Romeo depressed?• What is the relationship of Juliet and the

Nurse?• What surprising choice does Zeffirelli

make about Lady Capulet?• Why is the love song significant?• How does Juliet react to Romeo’s words?

Group Activity – Act One(We will complete these group activities while we watch the films – please take

notes based on your ideas and questions)

• Write a minute review of Act 1 of the film and address the following aspects:– The cuts to the text– The acting style– The setting (lighting, sounds, music, etc)– Reaction to seeing the actors play the

characters we have read about as a class (Focus in on how the characters sound, look, and act, is it what you expected?)

Discussion Questions – Act Two

• How is the balcony scene shown in the film?• What does Juliet tell Romeo when he ask for her vow of

love?• What proof of his love does Juliet ask from Romeo?• How does Romeo react?• What does Romeo do when he leaves Juliet?• Why is Mercutio wondering where Romeo is?• What happens when the Nurse goes to see Romeo?• What warning does Friar Lawrence gives Romeo?• What happens when Juliet goes to Friar Lawrence’s room?• How is the wedding shown in the film?

Group Activity – Act Two

• Count off by 2’s (all 1’s get together and all of the 2’s get get together)

• Re-enact the scene as show in the film.

• Discuss the parts you liked and disliked regarding the film’s portrayal of Act Two.

Discussion Questions – Act Three

• What triggers Mercutio’s fight with Tybalt?

• Why does Tybalt want to fight Romeo?

• How does Mercutio die?

• What does Romeo do?

• How does Tybalt die?

• What does Juliet think when the Nurse tells her that Romeo killed Tybalt?

• What does Friar Lawrence tell Romeo?

• How is the wedding night shown in the film?

• What plans have the Capulets arranged?

• Why does Lady Capulet think Juliet is crying?

Group Activity – Act Three

• Brainstorm for a few minutes about the parts of Act Three that were clearer because of the movie

• Regroup into a Seminar Circle to discuss the brainstorm ideas (identify the similarities and differences)

Discussion Questions – Act Four

Who does Juliet meet at Friar Lawrence’sWhat plan does Friar Lawrence devise?How do we know that Friar Lawrence is nervous

about the plan?What does Juliet do when she gets home?How is Juliet’s drinking of the potion displayed in the

film?Is it how you portrayed it in your mind?How is the letter sent to Romeo?How is Juliet found?How is Juliet’s funeral shown in the film?Is it a believable funeral?

Group Activities – Act Four

• Free Write Activity: Write a five minute journal response acting as either Juliet or Romeo during Act Four (what are you feeling, how would you have reacted?)

• Group Share: Volunteers will be asked to share their Free Write Responses with the class

Discussion Questions – Act Five

• What news does Balthasar bring Romeo?• What is Romeo’s reaction?• How does Romeo get into Capulet’s tomb?• What does Romeo do when he sees Juliet?• Who else does Romeo see in the tomb?• How does Romeo die?• What happens when Friar Lawrence goes into the tomb?• What does Friar Lawrence tell Juliet?• What does Juliet do when she sees Romeo’s body?• How does the film end?

Group Activity – Act Five

• Pretend to be either Juliet or Romeo in Act Five

• Brainstorm how you would react if you had been in their places

• Group Sharing: Share your character choice and how you felt putting yourself in the character’s shoes

Discussion Questions for Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet – Act One

• How does Luhrmann set the tone and mood of the film?

• How is the opening fight shown in the film?• What choices does Luhrmann make for the

background of the film?• How is Gloria, Juliet, Mercutio, and Romeo

shown in the film• How is the Capulet’s feast shown in the

film?• What choice does Luhrmann make about

Gloria?• When does Romeo first see Juliet?• What costume does Dave and Romeo have?• Where do Romeo and Juliet have their first

kiss?• Why can the music in this film be

considered a character?

Group Activity – Act One

• Write a minute review of Act 1 of the film and address the following aspects:– How it differs from Zeffirilli’s version– The acting style– The setting (lighting, sounds, music, etc)– Reaction to seeing the actors play the

characters we have read about as a class (Focus in on how the characters sound, look, and act, is it what you expected?)

Discussion Questions – Act Two

• How is the balcony scene shown in the film?

• What is Juliet’s plan?

• What token does Juliet give Romeo?

• How is Father Lawrence shown in the film?

• How does the balcony scene differ from Zeffirilli’s film version? Which do you like better?

• What does the Nurse tell Romeo?

• What does the Nurse tell Juliet?

• How is the wedding portrayed in the film?

• Do you think this portrayal is better or worse than Zeffirilli’s?

• What does Father Lawrence tell Romeo and Juliet?

Group Activity – Act Two

• Count off by 2’s (all 1’s get together and all of the 2’s get get together)

• Re-enact the scene as show in the film.

• Discuss the parts you liked and disliked regarding the film’s portrayal of Act Two.

Discussion Questions – Act Three

• What does Mercutio tell Benvolio on the beach?• How does Tybalt insult Mercutio?• What is Romeo’s reaction to Mercutio’s death?• What is Juliet doing during this scene?• What happens when Tybalt’s death is discovered?• What does the Chief do?• What surprising items decorate Juliet’s room?• How is the wedding night shown? (Similarities and differences with

Zeffirelli’s version)• What is Fulgencio doing downstairs while Romeo and Juliet are

upstairs?• How does Juliet react to her father’s marriage arrangements?

Group Activity – Act Three

• Brainstorm for a few minutes about the parts of Act Three that were clearer because of the movie

• Regroup into a Seminar Circle to discuss the brainstorm ideas (identify the similarities and differences)

Discussion Questions – Act Four

• Who does Juliet meet at Father Lawrence’s?

• What is Father Lawrence’s plan?

• How is Father Lawrence’s dwelling portrayed in the film?

• What happens to Father Lawrence’s letter to Romeo?

• How is Juliet’s drinking of the potion portrayed in the film?

• Does it differ from Zeffirelli’s version?

• What happens the morning after?

• How is Juliet’s funeral shown?

• Does it differ from Zeffirelli’s version?

• Which funeral scene do you like the best and why?

Group Activity – Act Four

• Free Write Activity: Write a five minute journal response acting as either Juliet or Romeo during Act Four (what are you feeling, how would have reacted?)

• Group Share: Volunteers will be asked to share their Free Write Responses with the class

Discussion Questions – Act Five

• Why does Romeo not receive Father Lawrence’s letters?

• What happens when Father Lawrence finds out the letter was not delivered?

• Why does the Chief of Police launch a search?

• What happens when Romeo gets to the tomb?

• Where is Dave Paris?

• What happens when Romeo enters the tomb?

• What happens when Romeo sees Juliet?

• What surprising choice does Luhrmann make during this scene?

• What does Juliet do?

• How does the film end?

Group Activity – Act Five

• Free Write Activity: Consider the two film endings, which ending was most believable, which ending did you like the best, and why?

• Group Sharing: Volunteers will share their free write responses with the class.

Group Film Activities(Write a Journal Entry based on the activities below)

Zeffirelli’s Version (1968) Activity• Make notes about directorial choices (set/setting, music/soundtrack, costumes/clothes)

• Decide whether audience is encouraged to side with the Montagues or the Capulets? (both or neither)

• What is your response to the opening fight scene. How does the director establish the ideal of rival gangs?

Luhrmann’s Version (1996) ActivityMake notes about directorial choices (set/setting, music/soundtrack, costumes/clothes)

• Decide whether audience is encouraged to side with the Montagues or the Capulets? (both or neither)

• What is your response to the opening fight scene. How does the director establish the ideal of rival gangs?

Zeffirelli Character Box Activity• Choose a character to follow in the film

• Build up a complete picture of the character (think 5 sense and find something relevant for each sense)

• Include sight; touch; scent; hearing; taste

Luhrmann Character Box Activity• Choose a character to follow in the film

• Build up a complete picture of the character (think 5 sense and find something relevant for each sense)

• Include sight; touch; scent; hearing; taste

YouTube Video & Sound Clips: Click on the link below to access the following Romeo and Juliet Clips (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=C991CF258160FED5)

(Write a Journal Entry based on your actions and responses to the clips)

Zeffirelli Trailer:•What aspects of this Trailer version do you like and why?•How has the Trailer portrayed the film?•What components would you have changed or added?

Balcony Scene:•What parts of this scene do you feel Zeffirelli does better than Luhrmann?•How are the aspects of this scene different than Luhrmann’s version?

LuhrmannTrailer:•What aspects of this Trailer version do you like and why?•How has the Trailer portrayed the film?•What components would you have changed or added?

Kissing Scene:•What parts of this scene do you feel Luhrmann does better than Zeffirelli?•How are the aspects of this scene different than Zeffirelli’s version?

What is Youth?:•What does this scene add to the film?•What are the differences when comparing Luhrmann’s version in regards to this scene?

Everything I Do:•How do you think this chosen song adds to the overview of the film?•What song would you choose to represent this version?

Final Scene:•What does this scene add to the movie?•What are the differences when comparing Zeffirelli’s version in regards to this scene?

Love U Forever:•How do you think this chosen song adds to the overview of the film?•What song would you choose to represent this version?

Class Presentation ChoicesThis is a combined Writing and Oral Assignment, you will be graded on your

written submission and your presentation based upon the topic selected Note: If there is an additional topic you would like to research, submit a proposal in writing

Choice One:

• Write a compare and contrast paper based on the similarities and differences between Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s film versions of Romeo and Juliet.

• Identify film aspects including setting, character focus, actor choice, costume choice, and music (how do these key items inhibit and/or elevate the film)

Choice Two:

• Choose one of the important themes in Romeo and Juliet and identify how those scenes are portrayed in Zeffirelli’s and Luhrmann’s film versions.

• Be sure to address at least three aspects of each film that support the theme discussed.

Journal ResponsesMake sure to bring your journals with you to each class, as you will be able to use them for reference when participating in the Socratic Circle discussions

• Each class period, you will be responsible for completing a one page pre-class and post-class written journal response, identifying items that you have questions about, you would like to discuss in more depth, characters that you relate to, characters that you despise, or ideas that you may for group work

• This is your chance to talk freely, please put all of your thoughts down on the page (Do not worry about grammatical and syntax, you will only be graded on content of your responses)

• You will be required to hand your journals in at the end of the unit for my review

Rubrics for Oral Presentation and Composition Components

• Oral Rubric.doc• Click on the above

link to access the Oral Presentation Rubric that will be used for grading purposes.

• Composition Rubric.doc

• Click on the above link to access the Composition Rubric that will be used for grading purposes.

Socratic Circle Journal TalkSocratic Circle Participation Reference GuideNote: Click on the link above to learn more about participating in Socratic Circle

• Based upon your journal responses and group activities, we will conduct a Socratic Circle to discuss some of the key questions identified throughout the unit

• This is a great time to discuss potential paper topic questions and ideas

• The Socratic Circle is also an important place to determine the pros and cons of each film version.

Useful WebsitesThese websites could be beneficial in your research and to learn more about

Shakespeare and his time, Romeo and Juliet, and his other plays

http://library.thinkquest.org/19539/randj.htmb

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063518/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0117509/

http://absoluteshakespeare.com/guides/romeo_and_juliet/romeo_and_juliet.htm

http://members.accessus.net/~bradley/RJQuotes.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet