i must agree with the redneck on this one.
I think William would have wanted the English language to evolve, as well as storytelling. I don't agree with people who say his plays are "timeless" - because contextually they are not - the only timeless aspect of many of his plays is how different personalities interact in a given situation. I have read his complete works by the way, and i just think with the modern language evolving all the time, we do not need his works to be taught, unless for etymological purposes.
2007-01-19 00:54:56 · 12 answers · asked by a_j95 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
What Shakespeare wrote 400 years ago has little relevance today.
Nowadays, Romeo and Juliet wouldn't have ended up dead, they would have eloped to Las Vegas and got married in some cheesy drive-thru chapel with a phony Elvis Presley singing in the background.
The same can be said of Hamlet: he wouldn't have pontificated till the cows came home whether life was worth living or not, he would run along to his local drug dealer at the end of the street, buy a strong spliff, and smoke it.
Problem solved.
2007-01-19 06:52:44 · answer #1 · answered by Panama Jack 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Personally I enjoy shakespeare a lot. I like to sound of the language when it is performed, though I'll admit it can be tough to read. I think it would be a shame not to teach it in schools anymore.
However that doesn't mean it can't be changed and adapted for a modern market. Shakespeare was a professional writer. If he was around today and some Hollywood script writer approached him and said "Hey Will, love this Romeo and Juliet but the script needs to be a bit more pacey and we want to go for an upbeat ending." I'm pretty sure I know what he'd say. The pen may be mightier than the sword but the dollar knocks them both into a ****** hat.
2007-01-19 01:18:29 · answer #2 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shakespeare is timeless because of his understanding of the psychology of the human condition. We all live at different levels of consciousness, Shakespeare's work is of the highest.
Who'll know Billy Bob Thornton in 40 years, let alone 400?
2007-01-19 15:10:08 · answer #3 · answered by Trader S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have read several of "His" plays, some I found amusing like the Merchant, what I do not like is that Shakespeare gets all the credit for plagiarizing other people's plays and stories, in modern day he would be called a screen writer. And also he was basically in the theater for the money and not the art.
2007-01-19 04:10:32 · answer #4 · answered by lovesherchina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Billy Bob is, of course, entitled to think whatever he pleases - though that opinion about Shakespeare's works might have more weight coming from someone who hadn't played 'Bad Santa'.
I like the plays - I read them for the sheer pleasure of the language, which had yet to be saddled with "like - you know - whatever".
2007-01-19 05:34:01 · answer #5 · answered by irish1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If Billy Boy Thornton really said this and is really of this opinion then I think he should put his money where his mouth is and write. If he can write as many plays (screenplays/novels) and as well as Willy Boy Shakespeare did, then he has the right to say so.
2007-01-19 01:18:22 · answer #6 · answered by WMD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Shakespeare's works are part of a literary heritage. You are not forced to read his plays in original. Or to read them.
I wander how world woul be without Romeo and Juliet or King Lear or The Tempest? Hmm....
2007-01-19 07:43:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never cared for Shakespeare much, but that might be just because it was forced upon me in high school.
Never cared for Billy Bob either so....
2007-01-19 01:20:47 · answer #8 · answered by Justin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Methinketh the swain spent too much of his time with Angelina, the buxom lass!
Will
2007-01-19 14:51:35 · answer #9 · answered by Sterz 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
David Dove and Tyrone Hopkins posted the same question. You should read the answers side by side.
2016-08-23 15:35:37 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋