LE3 .A278 2008

2008

Slights, Jessica

Acadia University

Bachelor of Arts

Honours

English

English & Theatre Studies

The objective of this thesis was to adapt five Shakespeare plays into young adult literary fiction. Shakespeare’s Hamlet, King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and The Tempest have been appropriated into short stories. These stories use contemporary language in order to create accessibility for youth who are not yet able to understand the complex language of the plays themselves. They also serve as an introduction to Shakespeare, which will be useful to young readers in later studies of his work. As well, these stories focus on the grim themes of death and violence. Children are often shielded from difficult subject matter, and as a result are not prepared when they experience their own personal tragedies. These stories introduce difficult themes in order to create an open dialogue regarding tragedy. Although they only begin to touch on grief and healing, starting the conversation is always the hardest part.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:542