Essay question - How does the modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ speak to younger audiences?
The modern adaptation ’10 Things I hate about you” directed by Gil Junger in 1999 is more effective when speaking to a younger audience than the original version, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ written by William Shakespeare in the 16th century. Younger audiences relate to Shakespeare’s message more effectively due to the adaption of language, setting and characterisation.
Language is one of the main and most important themes explored in the modern adaptation, ’10 things I hate about you’ directed by Gil Junger. The English language has changed a great deal over the years and the original version, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ was written in the language used in the 16th century, the Shakespearian/Elizabethan language. In order for younger audiences of this modern age to relate and understand the…show more content… Younger viewers can relate to the characters in the modern adaptation ‘10 things I hate about you’ due to the similarities younger viewers may have with some of the characters. In the original version, ‘The taming of the shrew’, the main character Katherine is the untameable woman who Pertrucio, in the end is her husband, has to tame her. In order for younger audiences to relate to the characters more effectively, the modern adaptation presents Katherine as Kate who is a stubborn, bitchy, independent and still untameable teenager. All these characteristics of Kate are evident in the movie ’10 things I hate about you’ until Kate begins to change as Patrick or Pertrucio ‘tames’ her. Character wise, Gil Junger intended to change many names from the original text written by William Shakespeare as they were unheard of now a days. This is another reason as to why younger audiences can relate to the modern adaptation more