Matt,+Harrison,+Felix,+Gabriel+Themes+and+Ideas

The director of 10 Things I Hate About You, Gil Junger, has successfully appropriated the original Shakespearean version through various alterations in aspects of the text. The element of themes and ideas has been adapted suitably to appeal to the modern audience that would just not find some original aspects engaging or appealing. **Discuss the Original Version:** The original version, "Taming of the Shrew", exhibited the variety of themes in such a way which would reach out to Elizabethan audiences. In other words, socially, culturally and behaviourally acceptable ideas were used. The patriarchal society of that time would have duly embraced the idea of Petruchio having to "tame" Katharina and have the women seen as commodities. The issue of marriage and dowries was also widely accepted making the context of the play understandable. **Discuss how the Modern Version is Different:** The modern version has been adapted quite appropriately, and thus successfully, by transforming each of these themes into contemporary portrayals. For instance, taming would not be accepted in modern times so the theme has been suited to romancing in which Patrick uses more 'orthodox' methods to win Kat, that is to say that "taming" or "commodities" are left out. The basically arranged, economic-based marriages of the early 17th century have been reincarnated into teenage dating and formals in which the idea may live on but in a better suited form. Additionally, the original text sees temporary disguise in the form of clothing and roles in society. "10 Things" is more about finding one's true identity and place in the school hierarchy. So, Bianca seems like the typical popular girl but turns out to be a deeper, slightly rebellious (hitting Joey) person. **Final Sentence connects to the Original Question:** Initial themes from Shakespeare's text have been altered in Junger's film. This is only done to appeal to the audience and make sense of the foreign nature of some of the original ideas. One can only imagine how a post-feminist, egalitarian society of the late 20th century would respond to patriarchal-influenced, unequal issues that were present originally.
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