DietrichLENS1

Kim Dietrich Dr. Sherry Literature for Young Adults 1 Feb 2011

Transmedial Approach: //King of Shadows// Susan Cooper, author of //King of Shadows//, uses a fun approach to describing Nathan Fields’ journey from present day back to the 16th Century. She is able to depict William Shakespeare’s time so well, that it makes the reader feel as if they are right there with Nathan. The history and elements of the stage really grab the audience’s attention. //King of Shadows// seems like it would be a good book to be made into a movie.

//King of Shadows // incorporates many elements of present day theater and 16th Century theater that helps capture the audience’s attention. There are both historical and fictional elements that help drive the plot and story line. William Shakespeare is an approachable man and character in the novel, which makes one wonder if he really was that way in his time period. It seems hard to connect with a man as brilliant as William Shakespeare. However, to have an actor play William Shakespeare who is as approachable as he is presented would help bring the story to life for young adults. Also, if this novel was made into a film, I believe it would make it easier to understand the novel. There are many historical focal points in this novel, such as William Shakespeare, the Bubonic Plague, and street life in the 16th Century. Bringing these elements to life in a movie could make these points more relatable.

With how much technology has progressed, it seems as if it would be relatively easy to make the time travel and 16th Century way of life come alive on the movie screen. There’s only so much explaining that teachers or professors can do to try and explain the way of life in the 16th Century. Having a film version of the novel could help these teachers to explain how life was in the 16th Century. It may also help the students understand parts of the novel that may have been unclear, as I experienced myself.

Back to Personal Page