September 25, 2008: Revisiting History with Romeo+Juliet, Titus

In my contemporary literature class we’re currently learning about the idea of revisiting history within texts (you know this, obviously, because you are teaching it).  We briefly discussed this in our Shakespeare class, but I had a lot more ideas I wanted to mention.  Although Luhrmann’s Romeo+Juliet and Taymor’s Titus are more modernized versions of their respective texts, they feature aspects from throughout history that make some interesting commentary.

Romeo+Juliet, although portrayed in a modern setting, still maintains the Elizabethan language and the historically centered customs of that day.  For example, Juliet is still betrothed to Paris, even though arranged marriages rarely in America today (especially between a fourteen-year-old and, well, however old Paul Rudd was supposed to be (and please don't get me started on Paul Rudd as Paris)).  Other historical customs from the play—banishment and duels in the name of honor—are maintained in the movie despite the fact that these things do not regularly occur in modern day America. Luhrmann changed the setting and time period, but stayed true to Shakespeare’s plot.  Other interesting historical references can be seen in the characters’ costumes at the Capulet party.  Juliet’s mother, Lady Capulet, is dressed as Cleopatra.  This could be a reference to how Lady Capulet, along with her husband, are “rulers” over Juliet and have a power over her just as a queen would have over her subjects.  Romeo’s costume is just chain mail and armor, but it is a reference to knights and crusaders throughout history.  Knights were seen as saviors and warriors; the crusaders were on a quest.  Romeo, in the same way, is on a quest to win Juliet.  Juliet, dressed as an angel in white, represents the angels we know from throughout history—pure, divine, innocent, and beautiful beings.  

Julie Taymor’s Titus also revisits history, though subtly.  Like Romeo+Juliet, the setting seems more modern, but the Elizabethan language and 16^th century customs are still presented in the plot.  The Roman Senate, heredity deciding who’s next in line to rule, and even mercy killings are all ideals from Shakespeare’s time, but are still part of the modernized movie.  Another interesting historical reference I found online (so it’s credibility is questionable) is that during the election scene at the beginning of the film, Saturninus’ car resembles the car used by Hitler, and that Bassianus’ car is the same as the one JFK rode in the day he was assassinated.  If this is true then there are some interesting observations to make.  Like JFK, Bassianus is assassinated in the play, and like Hitler, Saturninus ends up leading a tyrannical regime.  The cars were clever references to historical men, and their lives foreshadow what is to become of the two brothers in Titus Andronicus.