Assignment Overview:
Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare early in his career about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding families. There are many pivotal scenes, including the balcony scene, Mercutio’s death, and the death of the two lovers. Two of the adaptations we have watched this semester: Baz Luhrmann’s modern movie adaptation, “Romeo+Juliet,” and Bhansali’s, “Ram Leela” use different techniques to adapt this source material. Baz Luhrmann uses a close adaptation to the text, including the same dialogue, while certain liberties are taken with camera angles and cinematography, Bhansali takes a looser interpretation by setting it in India, using modern Hindi, and framing it as rival gangster families at war with each other.
students will analyze the filmmaker’s concerns in transforming a literary work into a feature film, by paying close attention to their points of difference amd similarities, careful to incorporate narratology vocabulary we have discussed. You will also look at ways in which the film makers diverged from the text and the impact this makes to the original story, as well as for a modern audience.
DIRECTIONS:
Answer ONE of the following prompts using Narratology as your central approach through scene analysis, incorporating vocabulary and concepts learned this far in the course. Remember, you MUST present an argumentative thesis-centered essay, comparing and contrasting scenes from the film/s with the Source Material as well as 1-2 secondary sources.
1. The ballroom is a key location as it is the setting in which Romeo and Juliet fall in love. Look at this scene as it appears in the text (Act I, Scene V). Consider how the directors from both film adaptations of the play, have chosen this scene to provide a wealth of visual information beyond the words of the play text.
2. Refer to your notes on the film versions of the scene in which Mercutio dies. These film versions of the play have certain aspects in common, but the directors have chosen to interpret the scene in a variety of ways. How did the director’s choices contribute to the overall meaning of this scene?
3. Compare and contrast the ways these films interpret the idea of blame. How do they interpret, or lead the viewer to interpret, who is responsible for the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet? Analyze the actions of the characters you believe are responsible (and how they are depicted in each film and the source material).
4. Choose your own topic based on your own interpretation, interests, things that have come up I n your journal entries. Be sure to run use specific examples and texts to show me, so I can approve your topic before you start work on it. Some things to consider:
Is the adaptation a straight or a loose interpretation of the play?
What are some techniques the filmmaker(s) use to develop the plot? characters? How does the differ from the original text?
Does the adaptation capture the play’s formal elements: the ideology, characterization, style, tone, and plot?
Focus on the similarities and changes made in the adaptation and comment on their function in the story?
Assignment Outcomes:
Your essay should do all of the following:
In a well-structured traditional essay format (intro/thesis, body paragraph with support, and conclusion):
Craft a well-constructed thesis statement that can be supported or complicated by at least 2 secondary sources.
Examine the ways in which character or theme is revealed by the elements of film (camera angles, focus, setting, music, dialogue, etc.) versus how they are revealed in the literary work.
Analyze literary devices in the graphic novel
Identify examples of scale, characterization, and ideology, and apply them to the film.
Synthesize references from 2 secondary sources.
Effectively summarize, paraphrase, and quote material from academic/ non-academic source material using MLA guidelines.
Integrate source references, including direct quotations, using signal phrases (attributive tags) and parenthetical in-text citations.
Requirements:
Length: 600-1200 words (2-4 pages, double-spaced); 300 words = 1 page.
Format: Follow MLA guidelines.
Source Usage: Two sources: the primary texts (the graphic novel and tv pilot, and 1 OPTIONAL additional source, such as a book/tv review, or interview from a reputable source.
The paper must include a properly formatted works cited page with these citations.
“Don’t copy and Paste” I check it if it’s triggered somewhere it’s mean you will get “F”