Adaptations that Disinter and Disobey Shakespeare
Authors: Knibutat Jocelyn 
Published: May 2022

Adaptations that Disinter and Disobey Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is a staple in every literary curriculum; his works are constantly being adapted into books, cinema, live theatre and even memes. All of these various lenses and mediums serve to resurrect and modernize Shakespeare. However, the repeated “disinterring” of Shakespear is not simply an attempt at fidelity or reverence, but rather purposeful disobedience. In attempting to re-envision what makes a good adaptation, my video parallels what Shakespearean adaptations are to the original plays. The video is a series of images that provide movement and visualization to accompany the voiceover; it adapts my thoughts to the visual medium, rather than solely lying on auditory delivery. Adaptation is a way of having fun with the familiar and subverting the viewer’s expectations. It is about making something new out of the old, which uniquely represents the creator. Each format has its advantages and disadvantages, and I use mine to show how adaptation is a form of creative and subjective self-expression. Modern technology is one way we can engage with his works; it gives us a broader understanding of the discourse surrounding it. In my video, I imagine the discourse surrounding Shakespeare like a seed that grows into a tree: it has its roots in the far past, but its branches reach today. Shakespeare is still relevant, and it is this constant and ever-growing discourse that brings together different perspectives, cultures and traditions. Ultimately, to re-envision his work is to make the canon and literary tradition vital, dynamic and meaningful.

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