Films and books
It is the beginning of the 21 century and the fact is: we still we read Shakespeare’s poetry, watch his plays in whatever form and continue to recognize his value to us. During the past centuries there have been a lot of different ways in which people have interpreted Shakespeare and his works. Many scholars agree with the idea that when you read a literary text, there is no one meaning or explanation. Everyone reads a text from his or her own point of view. You have your own, mostly unconscious, standards and values that influence your way of thinking. By reading a text, you are already interpreting it. That is why a literary text can mean so many different things to so many different people. This is what makes literature so special: it can mean something to you, which it doesn't mean to others!
Shakespeare’s texts have been an influence in countless ways. Most of these ways, we are not even aware of. Shakespeare’s texts have also been appropriated in countless ways. Appropriation means ‘to take possession for one’s own’.3 Each time a text is used, it is appropriated by the one who uses it. Below you will find a short list of films and books that show you Shakespeare as he is used and interpreted today.
Films
Richard III (1995, UK)
Starring: Ian McKellen Director: Richard Loncraine Shakespeare’s history play set in the England of the 1930s and 1940s.
Hamlet (1996, UK)
Starring: Kenneth Brenagh, Kate Winslet.
Director: Kenneth Brenagh
Looking for Richard (1996, US)
Starring: Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, Winona Ryder
Director: Al Pacino
The film consists of a documentary intertwined with the staging of the play Richard III. In the documentary, Al Pacino and the other actors want to find out who Richard III was and what Shakespeare’s play is all about. This search for Richard is alternates with Pacino and the other actors performing the play.
Romeo + Juliet (1996, US)
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes
Director: Baz Luhrmann
A modern version of the tragic love story.
Elizabeth (1998, UK)
Starring: Cate Blanchett
Director: Shekhar Kapur
A film about the early reign of Elizabeth I.
Shakespeare in Love (1998, US)
Starring: Joseph Fiennes and Gweneth Paltrow
Director: John Madden
A fictional biography of William Shakespeare. Won 7 Oscars.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999, US)
Starring: Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles
Director: Gil Junger
The film is set on an American high school. Based on Shakespeare’s play The Taming of the Shrew.
O (2001, US)
Starring: Mehki Pheiffer, Josh Hartnett, Julia Stiles.
Director: Tim Blake Nelson
Setting is an American high school. Based on Shakespeare’s play Othello.