Assessing Adaptations of Shakespeare Plays

leaving her as a property owner – another uncommon situation for the time period. Despite these factors, it could be debated that Olivia is an older woman, as Helena Bonham Carter's youthful appearance and skillful acting leave room for interpretation regarding the director's intended portrayal.

In the play or film, Sebastian, played by Steven Mackintosh, is Viola's twin who she thinks is dead while he thinks the same of her. Upon his arrival in Illyria, Sebastian weds Olivia believing he is Cesario and quickly defeats Sir Andrew and Sir Toby. However, he, just like Cesario, is repeatedly misidentified. Despite his significance to the plot, Sebastian makes only brief appearances until the conclusion.

Imelda Staunton portrays Maria, a servant of Olivia who is vindictive towards Malvolio and devises a plan to teach him a lesson by unmasking her brother.

Nigel Hawthorne's depiction of Malvolio portrays a character who is excessively self-centered. Upon discovering a letter planted by Maria, Malvolio assumes that Olivia is in love with him, revealing his arrogance and making him a target for comedy throughout the play. However, his dignity is shattered upon realizing that he was deceived and ridiculed by Sir Toby, Sir Andrew, and Maria, whom he considers to be mere fools. Mel Smith plays a drunken Sir Toby Belch in the play.

Throughout most of the film, Sir Toby is depicted as constantly intoxicated, while also being portrayed as a foolish and dependent relative of his niece. His companion, Sir Andrew Aguecheek, played by Richard E. Grant, is also often shown as a drunken figure and is considered by Sir Toby to be an ideal candidate for Olivia's hand

in marriage.

Despite being completely opposite in appearance, Sir Toby and Orsino form a classic comedy double act. Orsino is a Count aiming to woo Olivia and repeatedly sends Cesario with messages of his undying love, oblivious to the fact that Olivia is falling for Cesario instead. Eventually, Orsino learns that Cesario is actually Viola and realizes he never truly wanted Olivia as he falls for Viola instead. The Merchant of Venice, directed by Michael Radford in 2004, is the first successful film adaptation of the most produced play on stage.

The filming of The Merchant of Venice took place in Venice, along with a few scenes filmed in Luxembourg. The music used throughout the film is mainly vocal, encompassing both sacred and secular styles, in keeping with the time and setting. The opening scene features diegetic and non-diegetic music, with Christians singing from a boat on the canal. Al Pacino portrays Shylock as a vicious character, mercilessly demanding his pound of flesh from Antonio in exchange for money. Shylock is presented as a Jew who is oppressed by the Venetian Christians and an enemy of Antonio, who has mistreated him in the past.

The relationship between Antonio and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice is based on the latter's desire for revenge against the mistreatment of Jews by Christians, which Antonio represents. There are different interpretations of Shylock's character throughout the play- Patrick Stewart suggests that he can be viewed as a sadistic villain or a dignified symbol of an oppressed people. When Stewart played the role in 1979, he aimed to defy stereotypes and add humor to Shylock's persona. However, I believe that Al Pacino's

portrayal is better suited to Shylock's dark nature, as he is bitter about his own treatment and seeks retribution against Antonio.

The film adaptation of the play highlights the prevalence of anti-Semitism more than other theatrical works. This is demonstrated in the opening scene, where a Jewish moneylender is thrown into a canal. Nevertheless, certain performers who have portrayed Shylock contend that emphasizing the alleged anti-Semitic elements undermines the character's universal appeal.

In the film adaptation (1984) of Shakespeare's play, "The Merchant of Venice," Patrick Stewart's character experiences a downfall that is closely tied to his Jewish identity. As portrayed by David Suchet, the character had previously been defined by his religion, but is forced to abandon it under difficult circumstances. Meanwhile, Jeremy Irons' depiction of Antonio is ambiguous: while he may be seen as brave for agreeing to the pound of flesh demanded by Shylock, he also appears reckless for ignoring Shylock's warning. In court, before Portia intervenes disguised as a doctor, Antonio displays genuine fear and panic. Zuleikha Robinson plays Jessica as a young and innocent girl who leaves her father because she falls in love with a Christian. Some directors have added a sixth scene that highlights Shylock's love for his daughter in the film; viewers are left feeling empathy towards him when Jessica abandons him for those he despises most - Christians.

Portrayed by Lynn Collins, Portia is depicted as a beautiful and intelligent young woman who comes up with a plan to save Antonio's life and respects her father's final wish by following through with his intended method for selecting her husband. In reference to his decision to cast Lynn Collins as

Portia, director Michael Radford stated, "I needed somebody young to play Portia because this is a realistic movie and usually Portia is played by a mature actress because it's a difficult role" (Michael Radford, 2004). At 24 years old during the filming of Michael Radford's adaptation, Lynn Collins was the perfect fit for the role, in contrast to Sinead Cusack who portrayed Portia in the RSC production at the age of 33. As for Bassanio, portrayed by Joseph Fiennes, he is depicted as a loyal friend to Antonio but uncertain in his love for Portia. Despite winning her affections and hand in marriage, he unwittingly gives away her ring and declares his love for Antonio over her.

Antonio is owed a sizable amount of money, resulting in his being forced to offer a pound of flesh to Shylock. Both plays utilize the concept of girls disguised as boys, with Portia acting as a doctor during the trial and Viola portraying Cesario throughout most of Twelfth Night. The use of this theme produces comedic value, particularly in The Merchant of Venice where Bassanio fails to recognize his own wife. This aspect is particularly amusing on an Elizabethan stage due to the fact that female roles were portrayed by boys, creating a situation in which a boy is playing a girl who is playing a boy. This theme forms the basis for much of the humor in Twelfth Night, with Olivia falling for Cesario, who is actually a girl, and Sebastian marrying someone he does not know.

The conclusion of The Merchant of Venice is influenced by Shylock's downfall and Antonio's rescue, despite being a sub-plot. This sub-plot

is utilized as a means to test her husband's faithfulness by Portia who requests the ring he pledged to keep while disguised. Shakespeare employs traditional language in both plays; however, The Merchant of Venice applies more complex language when compared to Twelfth Night. As such, Twelfth Night may be more desirable for modern viewers, particularly due to its humorous elements making it easier to comprehend and empathize with the story. Adapting Shakespeare's works into films aims to expand their appeal among broader audiences.

Despite being considered a literary icon, Shakespeare is often met with disinterest by modern-day students. The fact that he passed away almost four centuries ago makes it challenging for 21st Century children to connect with his work. Reading Shakespeare can be particularly unpleasant, especially when it's mandatory school reading. This difficulty in comprehension is due to the language used, as well as the setting and story of his plays. However, films have proven to be an effective tool in helping students grasp the true meaning behind these works and interpret them accurately on screen. While most people who watch these movies are already fans of Shakespearean literature, they can still serve as a valuable resource for those less familiar with his writing.

According to my perspective, Twelfth Night is more popular amongst a wider audience due to its easy and amusing comedy, straightforward plot, and uncomplicated characters set against the stunning coastline of Cornwall. On the contrary, The Merchant of Venice's intricate characters and historical themes create a gloomier atmosphere, especially through its representation of the discrimination faced by Jews which might deter certain viewers. Nonetheless, the movie's star-studded cast featuring renowned Hollywood actors

such as Jeremy Irons and Al Pacino may still attract an audience.