October 27, 2015 10 times romeo and juliet inspired modern works. Ap images april 23rd is generally considered to be a good day to celebrate the birth of englands greatest poet and playwright, william shakespeare. To be based on shakespeare, or not to be based on shakespeare. In john greens bestselling novel the movie version of which is set to hit theaters in early june. The bulk of the story and several key scenes remain intact, with denmark swapped for the african savanna, and people swapped for animals mostly lions. Shakespeare s influence on other artists shakespeare influenced every generation of writers since his death and he continues to have an enormous impact on contemporary plays, movies, and poems. Indeed, it is one of the fascinating effects of shakespeare s plays that they have almost always seemed to coincide with. Shakespeare is worth revisiting, if only in fiction, because his themes and characters remain distinctly modern.
A warhardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of spiders web castle. Shakespeare has been adapted in countless ways over the years, sometimes as in the case of these films rather subtly. In shakespeares classic romancetragedy, the lovers are torn apart or, starcrossd, to use the plays phaseby the feud between their families, the montagues and capulets of verona, italy. Our list, below, features some of the best shakespearean reworkings that would have surely made him proud were he still alive today. April 23 marked the 400th anniversary of william shakespeares death. Apr 19, 2016 so its no surprise that the basic plots and the character archetypes of shakespeare have been remixed by modern writers. Today im sharing 16 titles for readers of all ages to celebrate shakespeare. Shakespeare in love is unbearably sentimental at one point, they recite romeo and juliets love poetry to each other while making love but hey, shakespeare himself wrote that dang poetry. So, of course, the bards stories are ripe for reenactment on the pages of teen novels, and these 11 books prove the timelessness of his genius. One of shakespeares more difficult plays to defend and enjoy, the winters take seems like a tough sell for a reworking in a modern novel, but wintersons transformation of sexual subtext into text slams this story into high gear. Toshiro mifune, minoru chiaki, isuzu yamada, takashi shimura. History buffs may be aware that it was on this very day in april that william shakespeare, thought by many to be the greatest writer in the english language, both entered the world 1564 and left it 1616 kinda freaky, no. A midsummer nights dream translated into modern english hamlet translated into modern english henry iv part 1 translated into modern english. The taming of the shrew brought to a modern day seattle high school.
It was fascinating venturing into such a fascinating topic because it really becomes clear through researching this topic both the explicit and implicit ways shakespeare has influenced modern day culture. The month of april is tied in many ways to william shakespeare. Shakespeare s influence on literature is unparalleled. Indeed, it is one of the fascinating effects of shakespeares plays that they have almost always seemed to coincide with. Every reader should find something to pique their interest among these adaptations and homages to the bard. His plays have also been used by a wealth of artists, as source material for their paintings. William shakespeare would reportedly have turned 450 years old. To honor the bard of avon, weve compiled a list of some of the greatest novels influenced by his vast endowment of words. Adaptation of macbeth set in japan directed by akira kurosawa. Georges day, patron saint of england, so there is a. She refers to plays including a midsummer nights dream and king lear, and even the book itself is written in five acts.
If this question means what modernday musical was inspired by romeo and juliet. Shakespeares plays as modern translations, scene by scene. Of all the songs on this list, maybe lou reed has the most straightforward adaptation of a shakespeare piece with his modern, new yorkinspired take. Margaret atwood goodreads author shelved 3 times as inspiredbyshakespeare avg rating 3. Hot off the press you can now read all of nosweatshakespeare s modern shakespeare ebooks online. This film takes a completely modern spin on the play. Gus van sants careerdefining drama about a pair of street hustlers was partially inspired by shakespeares histories henry. Whether a fan or not though, you probably use many of shakespeares phrases on a regular basis. Apr 30, 2014 top 10 novels inspired by shakespeare. Hedge fund manager leo has an unspoken sexual spark with video game designer. And while there are scores of classics inspired by william shakespeares writing, like moby dick, by herman melvill.
Whatever inspired a love of the bard, ive held onto that love and it has also manifested as a love for shakespeareinspired works. Hedge fund manager leo has an unspoken sexual spark with video game. So its no surprise that the basic plots and the character archetypes of shakespeare have been remixed by modern writers. In this modernday retelling, its a green card wedding to keep her. What movies were inspired by romeo and juliet answers. Klein, juliet immortal by stacey jay, the story of edgar sawtel. Five movies you forgot were based on shakespeare plays.
Apr 23, 2018 theyre the illegitimate and unacknowledged twin daughters of sir melchoir hazard, the greatest shakespearean actor of his day. William shakespeare s plays and sonnets have been a rich source of inspiration to other art forms for hundreds of years, and rock and pop music is no exception perhaps no surprise as music. So to commemorate their beauty and the 400th year since the bards death, we look at the top. Shakespeare turns 450, and modern movies and tv are still. One cant help but wonder, however, if some of these adaptations would make the great wordsmith squirm, especially the vast array of teen. Apologies to anyone who likes this movie, but this remake of the romeo and juliet recreation was more absurd. Smiley retells the story of king lear in modernday iowa in her pulitzer prizewinning novel. Top 10 novels inspired by shakespeare books the guardian. Time and time again movie producers and screenwriters turn to his works to inspire their modern day tales. So, two weekends ago on the top 10, i explored shakespeare, his influence and culture and the top 10 songs inspired by shakespeare. Bbc culture how shakespeare influences the way we speak now.
The story of macbeth retold as a gritty, mob drama feels like an obvious choice. Winner of the 1992 pulitzer prize for fiction, a thousand acres follows an iowan farmer, larry cook, who divides his farm between his three daughters, until the youngest, caroline, objects and is cut out of the agreement. Shakespeare and modern culture, by marjorie garber the. Although his exact date of birth is unknown, many scholars put it at the end of april. This book was inspired by many of shakespeare s works, allowing carter to play with a multitude of themes from love to loyalty. The idea that shakespeare is modern is, of course, hardly a modern idea. The book is dora on their 75th birthday telling her memoirs, which incorporate references to several shakespeares plays. Were the world mine is a musical inspired by shakespeares midsummer nights dream. Oct 03, 2019 after rereading the bookmans tale, i started thinking of other shakespeareinspired stories that capture the wit and wisdom of the bard. Shakespeares impact on literature and culture cannot be overstated.
Were you to ask the literati of shakespeares era who. Psychology, sociology, political theory, business, medicine, and law. Of all the songs on this list, maybe lou reed has the most straightforward adaptation of a shakespeare piece with his modern, new york inspired take on romeo and juliet with the. Everyday phrases from shakespeare business insider. Sting liked it so much that he even used it for the title of his 1987 solo album, nothing like the sun. Despite his popular plays and literary works being hundreds of years old, william shakespeare continues to influence modern culture. Shakespeares influence is evident in popular as well as high culture. Endearing performances from joseph gordonlevitt, heath ledger, and julia stiles, and a fun soundtrack. Shakespeare influenced every generation of writers since his death and he continues to have an enormous impact on contemporary plays, movies, and poems. April 23 marked the 400th anniversary of william shakespeare s death. In the nearly 400 years since his death, his works have been staged, translated, and reinterpreted all over the. And here are some more books inspired by william shakespeare you may enjoy. Check out these books for inventive new takes on some of shakespeares.
Apr 11, 2016 whatever inspired a love of the bard, ive held onto that love and it has also manifested as a love for shakespeareinspired works. Read shakespeares plays as modern translationsfor free. Wendy cope, simon armitage, andrew motion love sonnets for the 21st century. After rereading the bookmans tale, i started thinking of other shakespeareinspired stories that capture the wit and wisdom of the bard. Popular inspired by shakespeare books showing 150 of 61 hagseed hardcover by. Shakespeare turns 450, and modern movies and tv are still his. William shakespeare would reportedly have turned 450 years old on wednesday his exact birthday is debated, and.
Since then, the prolific author has continued to touch our lives in nearly every aspect of our pop culture. New boy is a retelling of shakespeares othello a tale of jealousy, betrayal and backstabbing. The romantic poet john keats 17951821 was so influenced by shakespeare that he kept a bust of the bard beside him while he wrote, hoping that. And here are some more books inspired by william shakespeare you. Smiley retells the story of king lear in modern day iowa in her pulitzerprizewinning novel. Dec 11, 2008 the idea that shakespeare is modern is, of course, hardly a modern idea.
Apr 23, 2015 today the literary world is honoring the life, and death, of william shakespeare. Dark truths come to light, in this recreation of king lear, as the patriarch deteriorates while his daughters cope with the stark reality of. Its easy to overlook the relationship between hamlet and the lion king, since shakespeare certainly didnt invent the idea of an evil uncle. West side story, kiss me, kate, a thousand acres many of shakespeares plays were themselves retellings of historical events or classic tales, and the appeal of the narratives has only grown with his magical touch. While his exact birthday isnt really known, we observe it on april 23, the date he died at age 52. Smiley retells the story of king lear in modernday iowa in her pulitzerprizewinning novel. Feb, 2016 wendy cope, simon armitage, andrew motion love sonnets for the 21st century. Official site of the week magazine, offering commentary and analysis of the days breaking news and current events as well as arts, entertainment.
Epl picks books modern books inspired by shakespeare. Their father, a famous shakespeare professor, answered every question in shakespeare quotes, named them after shakespearean characters, and encouraged them to fight bullies by calling them fat kidneyed rascals instead. Shakespeare is an icon and a god of the western literary canon, and so many people have revisited his works through a modern lens. This is partly because there are no records of his birthalthough he was baptized on april 26and partly because he died on april 23 and april 23 is st. Movies based on shakespeare stories or plays but set in. One main difference is the young couple is not straight, which is something that most likely would not have been showcased back in 1595 when the original was written. Shakespeareinspired books for readers of all ages bianca, cordelia, and rose had the ultimate literary childhood. Apr 29, 2019 having written more than thirty plays and one hundred sonnets, and coining over four hundred words still used today, shakespeares influence on contemporary literature is undeniably prolific.
He coined many words and phrases that are still used colloquially by englishspeakers to this day. William shakespeares plays and sonnets have been a rich source of inspiration to other art forms for hundreds of years, and rock and pop music is no exception perhaps no surprise as music. The novel is set on a thousandacre farm which is owned by a. Yes, he was famous throughout, lauded as a genius, yaddayadda, but he did not become one of the goaters until he survived the whips and scorns of time. May 06, 2020 shakespeare thrived for over 400 years. Apr 23, 2020 shakespeareinspired movies to stream in honor of his birthday, from macbeth to 10 things i hate about you. Roughly 1100 words we speak today was invented by shakespeare. Theyre the illegitimate and unacknowledged twin daughters of sir melchoir hazard, the greatest shakespearean actor of his day. Today the literary world is honoring the life, and death, of william shakespeare. Romance books william shakespeare valentines day features. Here are 15 movies inspired by some of the bards greatest works. Wendy cope, simon armitage, andrew motion love sonnets. Vinegar girl by anne tyler, as i descended by robin talley, hagseed by margaret atwood, ophelia by lisa m.
Oct 12, 20 and we cant help but think that shakespeare s comedy and leslie nielsen is a match made in heaven. Set in 1970s washington, the book explores race, romance and loyalty, and all before the lunch bell rings. Shakespeare is heralded as a foundational figure in. Wendy cope, simon armitage, andrew motion love sonnets for. To honor him, weve rounded up 10 more tunes that were inspired by his irreplaceable genius. He couldnt have been that appalled by people savoring the romance of his words, the invocations of bountys boundlessness and love. The modernday othello adaptation also takes place in an. Heres a list of popular, albeit strange, sayings the bard coined.
There are countless movies inspired by the works of shakespeare. Here are 10 writers who have reimagined shakespeares work for the modern era. The romantic poet john keats 17951821 was so influenced by shakespeare that he kept a bust of the bard beside him while he wrote, hoping that shakespeare would spark his creativity. Where better to reimagine it, then, than an elementary school playground over the course of one highdrama day.