We are about to enter the less average section of my nerdom: Theatre.
I LOVE THEATRE!!!!!!
Recently the Oregon Shakespeare Festival announced a new herculean endeavor: a translation of all of the works of William Shakespeare into Modern English.
This is a very controversial move, both being praised and reviled by scholars across the world. Some scholars claim that translating the plays is a way to bring Shakespeare into the 21st Century, others saying that the essence of Shakespeare, the language, is precisely the reason that Shakespeare's works merit no translation.
Now, as a bit of a Shakespeare nerd ( if you have a few hours ask me about King Lear's portrayal of human existence... or Shakespeare's sex jokes, which are hilarious) and a trained actor, let me explain a bit as to why translating Shakespeare is a disservice to the Bard himself, and also an insult to speakers of Modern English.
*A small caveat before we begin: I am by no stretch of the imagination a Shakespearean Scholar, nor would I claim to that high honor, however I have devoted much of my own studies to the Bard, and thus feel qualified to share my opinion-OPINION- here.
One of the main reasons OSF is undertaking such a large project is to "to increase understanding and connection to Shakespeare’s plays..."
OK and the rant begins: The best way to increase understanding and connection to Shakespeare's plays is BY GOING TO SEE THEM!
It seems that in our society, Shakespeare is culturally displayed as difficult or hard to understand, namely because English teachers try to teach students how to read Shakespeare. Come on, I know most of you remember your English teacher trying to explain Hamlet's "to be or not to be" speech (Which to be fair is a really intense monologue questioning the frailty of life and questioning the idea of an afterlif- oh, sorry, theatre nerd showing)
Shakespeare was a playwright: his plays are meant to be seen. (or lived, as displayed by Gretchen Wieners-who in this case embodies Cassius)
Much of the scenery is described by Shakespeare, painting a picture with words for an audience.
So again: Shakespeare is meant to be seen and not read, and therefore translating Shakespeare to fit into the modern mold of understanding doesn't hold water.
But that's just a small thought from me,
An Average Nerd.