I'm going to be teaching Romeo and Juliet next semester and I'm trying to get a list together of as many Romeo and Juliet pop culture references as possible. I need songs, tv shows, films, etc.; anything that will help my students get more exposure to the play.
For example, I remember seeing Romeo and Juliet performed in a couple of sitcoms like Family Matters, Home Improvement, and Third Rock from the Sun.
So please list anything that comes to mind and as many details as possible so I can try and find the source material.
#3
CAGiversary!
Posted 29 December 2006 - 09:16 AM
Craig Armstrong is a somewhat popular symphonic/electronica composer who wrote a song based on the balcony scene. You can find it on his album "The Space Between Us." It was used in the modern-day Romeo & Juliet.
Really, if you want to go for a pop culture route, you ought to show them the contemporary interpretation of the play. It's really quite well done. I assume you already know about it, but just in case: http://www.amazon.co...1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd
Really, if you want to go for a pop culture route, you ought to show them the contemporary interpretation of the play. It's really quite well done. I assume you already know about it, but just in case: http://www.amazon.co...1?ie=UTF8&s=dvd
#5
CAGiversary!
Posted 29 December 2006 - 09:39 AM
You'd have to include the Dire Straits song on the Making Movies CD.
http://www.amazon.co...0731356-0267129
The number of adaptations and references defy listing. Every sitcom in TV history that had kids in a high school play took on the material or paralleled it in some other way.
The incredible cultural influence of the play can be noted from such film titles as 'Romeo is Bleeding' and 'Romeo Must Die.' Neither film directly references the play IIRC, but the viewer is expected to understand the reference in the title.
I even recall and animated movie about two robots in love:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0079824/
http://www.amazon.co...0731356-0267129
The number of adaptations and references defy listing. Every sitcom in TV history that had kids in a high school play took on the material or paralleled it in some other way.
The incredible cultural influence of the play can be noted from such film titles as 'Romeo is Bleeding' and 'Romeo Must Die.' Neither film directly references the play IIRC, but the viewer is expected to understand the reference in the title.
I even recall and animated movie about two robots in love:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0079824/
#6
I Heart Costco's Chicken
Posted 29 December 2006 - 06:00 PM
The number of adaptations and references defy listing.
I hope not because that's what I'm trying to do
I know it's futile to try and get EVERY reference but for something as ubiquitous as Romeo and Juliet, I'm having trouble finding more references.
#10
Trading Time Out (Rule Violation) Do not trade!
Posted 31 December 2006 - 07:59 PM
Can I ask why? I'm guessing these are freshmen, right? That's usually when this play is assigned, because the administration thinks kids will "get it" because they're of the same age. I'm not sure about that reasoning, as I think they're too close to their own overwhelming romantic feelings, and I wish they would assign a great bloody Shakespeare, like Richard I or sibling rivalry in Cordelia.
In any event, they'll probably think other adaptations of what they think is boring to begin with will be even more boring. I've had the best luck when making them act it out. Corny, yes, but very effective, as Shakespeare was meant to be seen, not read. I've also made them come up with their own plays (in groups) of romances with the same elements: disapproving parents, sneaking around, etc.
In any event, they'll probably think other adaptations of what they think is boring to begin with will be even more boring. I've had the best luck when making them act it out. Corny, yes, but very effective, as Shakespeare was meant to be seen, not read. I've also made them come up with their own plays (in groups) of romances with the same elements: disapproving parents, sneaking around, etc.
#12
Queen of Scotland
Posted 31 December 2006 - 11:22 PM
Can I ask why? I'm guessing these are freshmen, right? That's usually when this play is assigned, because the administration thinks kids will "get it" because they're of the same age. I'm not sure about that reasoning, as I think they're too close to their own overwhelming romantic feelings, and I wish they would assign a great bloody Shakespeare, like Richard I or sibling rivalry in Cordelia.
In any event, they'll probably think other adaptations of what they think is boring to begin with will be even more boring. I've had the best luck when making them act it out. Corny, yes, but very effective, as Shakespeare was meant to be seen, not read. I've also made them come up with their own plays (in groups) of romances with the same elements: disapproving parents, sneaking around, etc.
I would agree with that save for one movie - Ian McKellen's Richard III.
#16
Master of Orion
Posted 01 January 2007 - 10:53 PM
I've taught Romeo and Juliet several times to freshmen. I usually have the kids read a scene, then follow that with a viewing of the corresponding scene from the Franco Zeffirelli film. When we're entirely done with the play, I show them the Baz Luhrmann version in its entirety. I've done it that way several times and the students always seem to love it.
