Taming of the Shrew

Amy Freed rewrites The Taming of the Shrew, one of Shakespeare's more controversial plays, to make it more relevant to modern audiences. The play, known for its sharp dialogue and witty banter, has a problematic storyline that many find misogynistic. Freed's new translation brings the original story to life, highlighting the themes of courage and authenticity. This translation was part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Play On! project, which commissioned new translations of thirty-nine Shakespeare plays to make them accessible to modern audiences while preserving the beauty of Shakespeare's verse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 152 pages
Publication date: 11 April 2023
Publisher: Arizona Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies,US

Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, a play that has faced criticism for its problematic storyline, is reimagined by Amy Freed in her new translation. While the play is renowned for its sharp dialogue and witty banter, its portrayal of women and its uneasy politics have made it difficult for modern audiences to connect with the text. Freed's translation breathes new life into the original story, clearing away the dust and cobwebs that have accumulated over time. At its core, The Taming of the Shrew is a tale of courage and authenticity.

This translation of The Taming of the Shrew was commissioned as part of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Play On! project, which aimed to bring Shakespeare's works to a contemporary audience in language that is accessible while preserving the beauty of his verse. A diverse group of contemporary playwrights, screenwriters, and dramaturges collaborated on this project, reimagining Shakespeare for the twenty-first century. The result is a series of volumes that make these works available in print for the first time, marking a new First Folio for a new era.

Freed's translation is a testament to her skill as a translator and her commitment to bringing Shakespeare's works to a wider audience. Her interpretation of the text retains the essence of the original while offering a fresh perspective that resonates with modern readers. Through her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to capture the rhythm and tone of Shakespeare's language, Freed has created a translation that is both faithful to the original and accessible to a contemporary audience.

In addition to its literary significance, The Taming of the Shrew also holds important cultural and historical significance. The play explores themes of gender roles, power dynamics, and the complexities of human relationships. It has been interpreted and reinterpreted by countless directors, actors, and scholars over the centuries, each bringing their own unique perspective to the text. Freed's translation adds to this rich tapestry of interpretations, offering a new lens through which to view the play and its enduring themes.

Overall, Amy Freed's new translation of The Taming of the Shrew is a remarkable achievement. It breathes new life into the original story, offering a fresh perspective that resonates with modern audiences. Through her meticulous attention to detail and her ability to capture the rhythm and tone of Shakespeare's language, Freed has created a translation that is both faithful to the original and accessible to a contemporary audience. The Taming of the Shrew remains a vital and relevant play, and Freed's translation is a testament to the enduring power of Shakespeare's words and the enduring relevance of his themes.

Weight: 154g
Dimension: 196 x 126 x 8 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780866987851