This term paper highlights Shakespeare’s major impact on the literary world today. Not only does the fact that he is enshrined in the Western and the international canon support his incredibly high status, but also the fact that Shakespeare has experienced a great deal of both linguistic and cultural translation. On that account, the paper seeks to investigate Shakespeare’s canonicity, and to what extent the retelling represents a cultural translation of Romeo and Juliet. Since the story takes place in Shanghai and because the author’s background is transcultural, the novel will be treated as an Asian transcultural retelling, although it was written outside of Asia.
Shakespeare and his works are still considered significant and continue to influence various artists. Not only do his plays belong to the era of the Early Modern Age but they also belong to the present, which is continuously rediscovering and reviving them. The worldwide cultural importance of Shakespeare and his concepts are confirmed by the abundance of new adaptations and retellings that have appropriated and expanded them. The expansion of his themes creates a multitude of interpretive possibilities and retellings. Romeo and Juliet, in particular, is an exceedingly popular work that has been received and retold countless times in all sorts of variations. Romeo and Juliet’s canonicity is founded on universality, timelessness, complexity, poetic language, and on a compelling story of forbidden love.
"These Violent Delights", a novel by Chinese-born New Zealand author Chloe Gong, published in 2020, is a retelling of the famous play Romeo and Juliet, in which a wealth of Shakespearean themes have been maintained and expanded by other aspects. Set in 1920s Shanghai, the novel deals with the blood feud between two Shanghai gangs. At the center of this feud are embittered ex-lovers Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. But when a madness sweeps over the city and kills its inhabitants, Juliette and Roma must put their hatred aside to fight the madness together. This novel represents a retelling that offers an abundance of additional themes. The classic is now in a new cultural setting without losing its core themes of love, hate, and blood feud. Such a retelling raises the question of which of his concepts have been revisited and which have been altered.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Shakespeare as World Literature
- 2.1 Shakespeare in the Western Canon
- 2.2 Shakespeare in East Asia
- 3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
- 3.1 Similarities to Romeo and Juliet
- 3.2 A Cultural Translation
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper investigates Shakespeare's enduring canonicity and analyzes These Violent Delights as a cultural translation of Romeo and Juliet. It examines Shakespeare's position within the Western and global literary canons, focusing on his influence in East Asia. The analysis explores how Gong's novel adapts and reimagines Shakespearean themes within a new cultural context.
- Shakespeare's canonicity and its evolution
- Shakespeare's reception in East Asia
- Cultural translation in literature
- Thematic adaptations in These Violent Delights
- The relationship between original and adaptation
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the paper's central question: how far-reaching is Shakespeare's canonicity, and to what extent does These Violent Delights represent a cultural translation of Romeo and Juliet? It highlights Shakespeare's continuing influence and the abundance of adaptations of his works, particularly Romeo and Juliet. The chapter introduces Chloe Gong's novel, set in 1920s Shanghai, as a case study for examining the themes of love, hate, and blood feud within a new cultural context. The introduction lays the groundwork for exploring Shakespeare's position in both the Western and global literary canons, ultimately arguing for the significance of the investigation into cultural translation.
2. Shakespeare as World Literature: This chapter explores Shakespeare's remarkable and significant position in world literature, emphasizing his continued relevance and influence on modern authors. It discusses the concept of the "Western canon," its historical evolution, and the role of influential critics like Harold Bloom in shaping its definition. The chapter then shifts to examine Shakespeare's global reach, particularly in East Asia, highlighting the numerous translations, adaptations, and retellings that demonstrate his enduring appeal beyond national boundaries. This section sets the stage for the subsequent analysis of These Violent Delights by providing a broader understanding of Shakespeare's global impact and the complexities of the literary canon.
3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Chloe Gong's These Violent Delights, focusing on its adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. It explores the similarities between the two works, including the preservation of core themes while introducing new elements unique to the novel's setting and context. A critical examination of Gong's claim that she "wrapped up" Shakespeare's timeless ideas in a different shape forms the core of the analysis, evaluating how successfully the novel translates the original play into a contemporary East Asian setting. The chapter lays the groundwork to critically assess the extent to which the novel constitutes a cultural translation.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, canonicity, cultural translation, world literature, adaptation, These Violent Delights, Chloe Gong, East Asia, Harold Bloom, Western canon, literary criticism.
These Violent Delights: A Cultural Translation of Romeo and Juliet - FAQ
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper investigates Shakespeare's enduring influence and analyzes These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong as a cultural translation of Romeo and Juliet. It examines Shakespeare's position in both Western and global literary canons, focusing on his impact in East Asia, and explores how Gong's novel adapts Shakespearean themes within a new cultural context.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
Key themes include Shakespeare's canonicity and its evolution, Shakespeare's reception in East Asia, cultural translation in literature, thematic adaptations in These Violent Delights, and the relationship between the original work and its adaptation.
What are the main chapters and their content?
The paper is structured into four chapters: Chapter 1 (Introduction) establishes the central research question and introduces These Violent Delights; Chapter 2 ("Shakespeare as World Literature") explores Shakespeare's global impact, particularly in East Asia; Chapter 3 ("These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong") provides a detailed analysis of Gong's novel as an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet; and Chapter 4 (Conclusion) summarizes the findings.
How does the paper analyze "These Violent Delights"?
The paper analyzes These Violent Delights by comparing it to Romeo and Juliet, examining the similarities and differences in themes, characters, and plot. It focuses on how Gong adapts and reimagines Shakespearean themes within the specific cultural context of 1920s Shanghai. The analysis assesses the extent to which the novel can be considered a "cultural translation" of the original play.
What is the significance of Shakespeare's position in the Western and global literary canons?
The paper highlights the enduring influence of Shakespeare, particularly his continued relevance and adaptation in modern literature. It discusses the concept of the "Western canon" and its historical evolution, and then examines Shakespeare's reception and impact in East Asia, showcasing his trans-cultural appeal and numerous adaptations and translations.
What role does Harold Bloom play in the analysis?
The paper mentions Harold Bloom as an influential critic who has shaped the definition of the Western canon. His perspective on Shakespeare's influence is implicitly considered within the broader discussion of Shakespeare's place in literary history and his enduring impact.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, canonicity, cultural translation, world literature, adaptation, These Violent Delights, Chloe Gong, East Asia, Harold Bloom, Western canon, and literary criticism.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2022, "These Violent Delights" by Chloe Gong as a Cultural Translation of "Romeo and Juliet". How far-reaching is Shakespeare’s canonicity?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1278959
