Interpreting Shakespeare's Works
The argument of whether to translate Shakespeare’s plays if difficult because both sides have merit. On one hand, viewers and readers have a hard time understanding Shakespearean language, however, if the performance is done by great actors who utilize bodily jesters, movements, and facial expressions, they can help a viewer to understand what is trying to be conveyed. The problem still remains with the readers, as they have to use context clues or rely on an author’s footnotes. Without the actors, directors, and decor, readers are left to stumble along through the play without ever truly understanding what is happening.
Parke Kolbe argues that one of the main reasons against the idea of Shakespeare’s work being translated is that since it …show more content…
McWhorter believes that audiences get hung up on the phrases they don’t understand which sometimes causes them to miss the context clues. He also believes that even when people do understand the words being spoken, they are miss understanding the true meaning. Such as in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theseus says “The pale companion is not for our pomp” (1.1.17). This line can be very confusing because companion does not mean partner but something closer to rascal (Shakespeare’s Words). Even if a viewer thought they understood this line, without an understanding of Shakespearean writing, the viewer would have truly misunderstood without ever realizing …show more content…
The only problem being, what to translate and how to translate. As much as people are pro translate, it comes down to, what are people willing to lose? If Shakespeare is translated, everyone agrees that parts of the play and double meanings will be lost. However, more of the play would be comprehensible. Viewers will lose the double meaning in lines such as Richard III’s “Made glorious summer by this sun of York” (Shakespeare, 1.1.2). Sun meaning the sun in the sky and sun meaning son of the York family. Sadly, translations will need to be done in the near future but readers and viewers will be losing parts of Shakespeare’s original
Parke Kolbe argues that one of the main reasons against the idea of Shakespeare’s work being translated is that since it …show more content…
McWhorter believes that audiences get hung up on the phrases they don’t understand which sometimes causes them to miss the context clues. He also believes that even when people do understand the words being spoken, they are miss understanding the true meaning. Such as in Midsummer Night’s Dream, Theseus says “The pale companion is not for our pomp” (1.1.17). This line can be very confusing because companion does not mean partner but something closer to rascal (Shakespeare’s Words). Even if a viewer thought they understood this line, without an understanding of Shakespearean writing, the viewer would have truly misunderstood without ever realizing …show more content…
The only problem being, what to translate and how to translate. As much as people are pro translate, it comes down to, what are people willing to lose? If Shakespeare is translated, everyone agrees that parts of the play and double meanings will be lost. However, more of the play would be comprehensible. Viewers will lose the double meaning in lines such as Richard III’s “Made glorious summer by this sun of York” (Shakespeare, 1.1.2). Sun meaning the sun in the sky and sun meaning son of the York family. Sadly, translations will need to be done in the near future but readers and viewers will be losing parts of Shakespeare’s original