The NSW English syllabus
defines appropriation as: "Taking an object or text from one context and
using it in another context." This means, for example, using a text or
novel and changing the time or setting in which it takes place. This can also
be used in terms of art where artists take old works and change them to suit a
modern audience.
There have been many appropriations of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet over the centuries including 'Romeo + Juliet' and 'Pizza my Heart'. Romeo + Juliet was an appropriation directed by Baz Luhrmann in 1996. It uses the main features of Shakespeare's play including the original language and story line. However, the characters and setting have been brought into a modern context. Instead of the city of Verona in Italy, the movie takes place in Verona beach in America. The families are rival companies and the prince is a police officer. The Capulet men are Mexican and the Prince and Mercutio are black Americans. Pizza my Heart was another appropriation that showed the two families as rival pizza restaurant owners. The characters and story line had been changed dramatically to suit a modern audience.
