Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations

Shakespeare's works continue to be adapted in various forms for consumption in popular culture, such as film, television, comics, and graphic novels, and digital media. Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations explores how the practices of Shakespearean adaptations are frequently products of playful, and sometimes irreverent, engagements that allow new 'Shakespeares to emerge, revealing Shakespeare's ongoing impact in popular culture. It also explores the role of play in the construction of meaning in Shakespearean adaptations and contributes to the growing scholarly interest in playfulness both past and present.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 06 May 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Four hundred years after the passing of William Shakespeare, his works continue to captivate audiences worldwide, not only in theaters but also in various forms of popular culture. These adaptations span film, television, comics, graphic novels, and digital media, showcasing Shakespeare's enduring influence. Through the lens of play and adaptation, Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations explores the creative processes behind these adaptations, highlighting how they often result from playful and sometimes irreverent engagements. This collection sheds light on the role of play in constructing meaning in Shakespearean adaptations, encompassing both his works and his persona. By engaging with diverse theatrical, cinematic, and literary adaptations, the chapters in Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations delve into how these adaptations bring forth existing humor, serve as pedagogical tools to elucidate complex language, themes, and emotions, and ultimately make Shakespeare relatable, relevant, and entertaining for successive generations of audiences and readers.

Introduction:
Shakespeare's legacy has transcended time, with his works continuing to resonate in contemporary popular culture. The adaptability of his plays has allowed for their transformation into diverse mediums, captivating audiences across generations. Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations explores the dynamic interplay between play and adaptation in Shakespearean works, shedding light on how these adaptations contribute to the ongoing impact of Shakespeare in contemporary society.

Playful Engagement in Adaptations:
The chapters in this collection examine the playful and irreverent approaches taken by filmmakers, theater artists, and writers in their adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. They explore how these adaptations draw upon existing humor, employ innovative techniques, and challenge traditional interpretations to create fresh and engaging narratives. Through their playful engagements, new Shakespeares emerge, revealing Shakespeare's enduring influence in popular culture.

The Construction of Meaning:
Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations delves into the role of play in constructing meaning in Shakespearean adaptations. The chapters analyze how play is used as a pedagogical tool to facilitate understanding of complex language, themes, and emotions found in Shakespeare's works. They explore how playfulness can make Shakespeare relatable, relevant, and entertaining for audiences and readers of different generations.

Diverse Adaptations:
The collection showcases a wide range of Shakespearean adaptations across different mediums. From stage productions to film adaptations, from comic books to graphic novels, each adaptation brings its unique perspective and artistic vision to Shakespeare's plays. The chapters examine how these adaptations draw upon the rich tapestry of Shakespeare's language, imagery, and themes to create fresh and captivating narratives.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Playfulness in Shakespearean Adaptations offers a valuable contribution to the study of Shakespearean adaptations. It demonstrates how play and adaptation are intertwined processes that allow for the creation of new Shakespeares and the perpetuation of Shakespeare's influence in popular culture. By engaging with the diverse ways in which play is used in Shakespearean adaptations, the collection provides insights into the enduring power. relevance, and entertainment value of Shakespeare's works for successive generations of audiences and readers.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367504649