{"id":4893,"date":"2015-10-05T10:54:12","date_gmt":"2015-10-05T10:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/192.168.3.178\/?p=4893"},"modified":"2021-09-17T13:47:12","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T12:47:12","slug":"7-brilliant-shakespeare-adaptations-for-people-who-dont-like-shakespeare","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.musicmagpie.co.uk\/blog\/2015\/10\/05\/7-brilliant-shakespeare-adaptations-for-people-who-dont-like-shakespeare\/","title":{"rendered":"7 brilliant Shakespeare adaptations (for people who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t like Shakespeare)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macbeth<\/em>, a gritty and modern retelling of the legendary Scottish play, is in cinemas now and it looks like a brilliant take on Shakespeare.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s be honest: Shakespeare isn\u2019t for everyone. While he is undoubtedly one of the finest writers of all time, his works can be daunting at best and downright boring at worst. Sitting through a whole performance of his Elizabethan dialogue, which can span over 4 hours, can be difficult, especially for our attention-span ravaged society.<\/p>\n

Luckily, the Bard\u2019s work has been adapted in all kinds of ways and often given a much more exciting sheen. Here are some non-boring Shakespeare adaptations to help you get to grips with the work of ol\u2019 Willy Shakes!<\/p>\n

\n

\"Sons<\/a><\/h3>\n

Sons of Anarchy\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Shakespeare isn\u2019t the most obvious inspiration for a show about a gun-running biker gang, but Sons of Anarchy <\/em>is heavily influenced by Hamlet<\/em>. The premise is basically the same: Jax takes the role of Hamlet, a young man whose father has died but speaks to him through visions\/an unpublished book. Meanwhile, Clay takes on the role of Claudius, the new king\/president who may or may not have been involved in the death of the last king. Gemma Teller is obviously Gertrude.<\/p>\n

Other characters appear too: Jax\u2019s best friend Opie is similar to Laertes while Tara shares some characteristics with Ophelia, for example. Creator Kurt Sutter has admitted that Shakespeare was a huge influence on the show. While it frequently deviates from the Hamlet <\/em>formula (there\u2019s elements of Macbeth <\/em>and Othello<\/em> thrown in too), the central premise is Hamlet <\/em>through and through.<\/p>\n

\n

\"simba\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

The Lion King<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If Sons of Anarchy <\/em>is inspired by Hamlet<\/em>, then The Lion King <\/em>is pretty much Shakespeare with lions. Simba is the Danish price, looking to avenge the death of his father (Mufasta\/King Hamlet) by the current King (Scar\/Claudius). The king even appears post-death to provide Simba advice as a ghost.<\/p>\n

There are a couple of key differences, of course. There\u2019s way more songs for a start, and we\u2019re fairly certain that Hamlet didn\u2019t have a meerkat and a warthog as comedy sidekicks. Plus, Simba isn\u2019t a brooding depressive who takes a break from the plot to deliver a 10 minute soliloquy on life and death (apparently kids aren\u2019t into that kind of thing).<\/p>\n

\n