This blog has come about because of a chance comment by one of my students. He said that he wished that there was somewhere he could go for ideas on how to teach Shakespeare to his class. I'm going to attempt one idea each day.

Tuesday, 24 May 2011

Shakespeare abridged

During the Victorian period Shakespeare plays were abridged by Thomas Bowdler ( he gave the English language the verb to bowdlerise meaning to abridge. This verb is often not used in a very positive way) so that the content would be suitable for children and respectable women.  Which bits of the Shakespeare play you are studying do you think Bowdler edited out?  And why? 

What do you think the consequences of this abridgement would be on the play?


Create a version of the story suitable for children.  It is up to the student to decide on the best way to present the story- in prose, as a graphic novel, cartoon or even animated film.  Talk about language change and what the important themes might be. 

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