libraryolivia - Tumblr blog

[libraryolivia]

the fact that so often ppl are told to read shakespeare rather than watch it is so weird. like yeah sure reading it can help u get the language and stuff. but it’s meant to be watched. imagine your favorite movie or tv show episode. and then imagine how much less fun and interesting it would be if u just read the script instead of watching it. Shakespeare meant for his works to be watched and performed not read. not saying u can’t get something out of reading them obviously. just saying the way it’s taught and presented to ppl is often fundamentally flawed. 

[libraryolivia]

No because pride and prejudice isn't "I changed myself for you so you would love me back." It's "your blatant rejection and disdain for me made me realize things about myself no one had ever been bold enough to tell me so I sat down and evaluated all my behavior patterns and why they came about and came to the realization myself that I had to work on myself. Also I don't expect you to love me now that I'm a work in progress, so I'm just going to do nice things for you because I don't like seeing you hurt." No wonder P&P fans refuse to settle.

[libraryolivia]

No because pride and prejudice isn't "I changed myself for you so you would love me back." It's "your blatant rejection and disdain for me made me realize things about myself no one had ever been bold enough to tell me so I sat down and evaluated all my behavior patterns and why they came about and came to the realization myself that I had to work on myself. Also I don't expect you to love me now that I'm a work in progress, so I'm just going to do nice things for you because I don't like seeing you hurt." No wonder P&P fans refuse to settle.

[libraryolivia]

Shakespeare in the Modern Day

There's no doubt that the Bard has had the biggest influence over Western literature but where do we see his influence today? Well, I recently watched 'Anyone But You' (dir. Will Gluck) and it's a modern retelling of 'Much Ado About Nothing'; but why wasn't it advertised as such?

Perhaps it's the oversaturation of Shakespeare in the English Secondary curriculum that may have threatened to drive audiences away. However, let's be honest - none of us saw that movie for the plot. Is associating pop culture with Shakespeare a negative? The movie pulled $ 219.9 million in the box office so obviously Shakespeare's stories have stood the test of time, but why has the title become derogatory? Maybe it's just because I study literature, but that definitely would have made me want to see it even more, should it be marketed as such. I only went because my friend wanted to go and see the new 'crappy rom-com' of the year. Also, 'She's the Man' (2006, dir. Andy Fickman) is a film considered iconic by many. Another incredibly successful film, another incredibly successful modern Shakespeare retelling, another iconic piece of media that hides from its source material (Twelfth Night (1602), in this instance)!!!

Let's also not forget 'Clueless' (1995, dir. Amy Heckerling) which is considered a classic of 90's filmmaking and rom-coms. Another incredibly successful film, another incredibly successful modern classical retelling, this time Jane Austen's 'Emma' (1816). It annoys me so much because people are like 'omg classical lit is so boring' like no!!!! It's not!!!! You've been consuming it unknowingly in a different form for decades and you've loved it!!!! Like please just give it a chance I promise you'll find something you'll like!!!!

But yeah those are my thoughts I really derailed at the end but I had to get it out. Have a good day, don't forget to drink water <3