Film Adaptations

Shakespeare’s works are well known all over the world for their eloquent prose and entertaining plots. However, Shakespeare is not only used for the purpose of entertainment via stage shows. Over the years, many cultures have used Shakespeare to indulge English literature into the minds of children and school students. While this may seem like a good way for other cultures to be exposed to another language, many simply have a hard time understanding Shakespeare. For this reason, film adaptations are very useful as far as portraying Shakespeare in a different way so that more people can easily be exposed to it. For example, if someone were to give a five-year-old a copy of the play: Hamlet, they would have no idea what the context meant. However, if you show the same child the movie: The Lion King, they will get a grasp of what the play is about even though it is disguised by talking animated animals. So, film adaptations of Shakespeare are used to expose his works to a wide variety of cultures. This is also why many film adaptations are in different languages or settings to help others relate to which ever film fit closest to their cultural upbringing. One could argue that changing the language or adapting the film could take away from the original work, but in order to spread these works, there has to be a gateway into other cultures. This gateway is often film adaptations.

6 thoughts on “Film Adaptations”

  1. I really like how you compared an actual play of Hamlet to an interpretation that some would feel is easier to understand. I feel that using Shakespeare as a bridge between cultures would be very difficult because of the interpretations of English at the time are a lot different than they are today. Great Post.

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  2. Incorporating Shakespeare writing into a film is probably one of the best ways to be able to understand Shakespeare! I have a very difficult time reading Shakespeare but I can watch movies for hours on end so I completely agree with you that film adaptations are used to help other cultures understand Shakespeare more. Well done!

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  3. I completely agree with your ideas about adapting Shakespeare to fit into a culture’s needs. I like how you used the example of a 5 year old with the Lion King because it helps the reader understand exactly what you are saying. Also, I agree that adaptions are the gate ways to understanding. Great post!

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  4. I really liked your post and how you explained how it is easier for other countries to learn another language but making it in different adaptations that just reading and watching the stage plays. The film adaptations help them get the language and message across. Great post!!

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  5. It is true that Shakespeare is not only used for entertainment purposes. I agree with you that since Shakespeare’s plays are a bit hard to understand, film adaptations work well to give the audience an idea of the plot within the dialect in Shakespeare. I like how you referred to The Lion King. I had never thought that too much addition in the adaptations of Shakespeare could potentially take too many elements away from the original. There absolutely needs to be a gateways between other cultures, that I can agree with you.

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