Find an adaptation or transformation of a play. Choose an adaptation with some significant differences from the original, such as transposed plots and characters into a variety of different settings and historical contexts. Here are some examples:
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
(1999) or A Midsummer Night’s DREAM (2018)
• Romeo and Juliet – Romeo + Juliet (1996) or West Side
Story (1961) or Romeo Must Die (2000)
• As You Like It – As You Like It (2006)
• Taming of the Shrew – 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) or
Kiss Me, Kate (1948)
• Much Ado About Nothing – Much Ado About Nothing (2012)
• The Comedy of Errors – The Bomb-itty of Errors (2012)
• King Lear – A Thousand Acres (1997)
• Othello – O (2001)
• Hamlet – The Lion King (2019 or 1994) or Hamlet (2000)
• Twelfth Night – She’s the Man (2006)
If you have another idea, please ask your instructor to approve it.
Watch the original version and the adapted version. In your essay, address the following:
• How is the adaptation the same as the original? Discuss plot, characters, theme, conflict, language, etc.
• How does the adaptation differ from the original? Discuss setting, time period, characters, plot, language, etc.
• Does the original story translate well in the adaptation? Why or why not? Did the adaptation work in a different setting, time period, etc. Why or why not?
• Why do you think Shakespeare’s plays are adapted so often?
