Thomas C. Foster writes very in depth about the relationship between popular novels/literary works and television/movie premises that reflect classic works of literature such as Shakespeare and the Bible. I can definitely agree that there are sole works of literature that act as the prompt for every other storyline created from that point on (these being the Bible and Old Willy Shakes). From a popular culture standpoint I can right off the bat name several modern day adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. There is always a slight adaptation of the plays that we know and the new stories that are emerging.
I thinkVanessa's entry regarding this topic reflected very well on the use of Shakespeare and the Bible to write new literature. The most commonly used Willy Shakes play is 'Romeo and Juliet' which has been applied to every type of story over the years. A tale of star crossed lovers...that can even describe the cartoon Disney movie 'Lady and the Tramp'. Today on most Soap Operas and television dramas there is almost always a tale of two people that want to be together but are being kept apart by their families or due to the fact that they come from different backgrounds.
It is amazing to me how timeless Shakespeare has become and this poses a very interesting question regarding the evolution of literature. If Shakespeare was where it all began, then where will it all end? Such a complex group of tales, along with a much different dialect seems as if over time we have dumbed down our literature and way of speaking. We as a society have gone a step back to a simpler time yet the most influential works of all time are written in the old English as was the King James version of the Bible.
Comments (2)
It's a little sad to think sometime's that everything is all from Shakespeare or the Bible. Makes you want to go out and write something completely out there just to break the mold doesn't it?
Posted by Vanessa | January 31, 2005 8:53 AM
Posted on January 31, 2005 08:53
That is sad. But I guess someday I will just have to write a book that will be lasting enough in society to knock someone's socks off (lol)...preferably the people that deem things 'good literature'. I wonder what the next great work will be? Is it already around or is it in the 'works' so to speak? Can anyone argue a novel or other literary publication as the most influential of 'our time'? Anything modern?
Posted by Leslie | January 31, 2005 9:52 AM
Posted on January 31, 2005 09:52