Shakespeare and Millennial Fiction

Contemporary fiction writers incorporate Shakespeare by representing his character, rethinking his stories, and exploring his plays in different times and spaces. The essays reveal which versions of Shakespeare are most current in contemporary culture and education, often exploiting new notions of genre, publishing technologies, and political identity.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Shakespeare, the man, his work, and his cultural legacy have been a rich source of inspiration for writers of contemporary fiction. This collection, curated by leading scholars in the field, explores the diverse ways in which writers have appropriated Shakespeare's legacy since the year 2000. The essays delve into the representation of Shakespeare himself, the reimagining of his stories, and the radical repositioning of his plays in time and space. Through these explorations, the collection reveals which versions of Shakespeare are most relevant in contemporary culture and education, while also remaking them in the context of the present. The authors leverage new notions of genre, publishing technologies, and political identity to reinterpret Shakespeare's works, creating fresh and innovative interpretations that resonate with modern readers.

The representation of Shakespeare himself is a central theme in the essays. The authors examine how Shakespeare is portrayed in contemporary fiction, exploring the ways in which he is interpreted and reimagined. Some writers challenge traditional portrayals of Shakespeare as a noble figure, instead presenting him as flawed, complex, and human. Others use Shakespeare as a vehicle for exploring contemporary social and political issues, such as gender, race, and power.

The rethinking of Shakespeare's stories is another prominent aspect of the collection. The authors explore how writers have reinterpreted Shakespeare's plays, often in pointed power defiance of the original. Some plays are reimagined as historical dramas, while others are set in modern times or futuristic worlds. Others still are reinterpreted through the lens of different genres, such as comedy, tragedy, or science fiction.

The radical repositioning of Shakespeare's plays in time and space is another key theme. The authors examine how plays are relocated to different historical periods, geographical locations, and cultural contexts. This repositioning allows writers to explore new themes and perspectives, and to challenge traditional interpretations of Shakespeare's works. For example, some plays are set in ancient Rome, while others are set in contemporary New York City.

The collection also reveals which versions of Shakespeare are most current in contemporary culture and education. The authors examine how Shakespeare is taught and studied in schools. They explore the ways in which teachers use Shakespeare's works to teach literary analysis, critical thinking, and cultural understanding. They also examine the ways in which Shakespeare is used to promote social and political activism, such as through theater productions, film, and television.

In conclusion, this collection is a valuable resource for scholars and students of Shakespearean adaptation. It brings together
together some of the leading voices. voices in the scholarship of Shakespearean adaptation and appropriation. It explores the diverse ways in which writers have appropri the man himself, his work, and his cultural legacy since the year 2000. The essays consider the representation of the man himself, the rethinking the rethinking of his stories, and the radical repositioning of his plays in time and space. Through these explorations, the collection reveals which versions of Shakespeare are most relevant in contemporary culture and education, while also remaking them in the context of the present. The authors. The authors leverage new notions of genre, publishing technologies, and political identity to reinterpret Shakespeare's works, creating fresh and innovative interpretations that resonate with modern readers.

ISBN-13: 9781316622902