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back to personal page Andrea Lee Dr. Sherry Literature for Young Adults 1 February 2011 Transmedial Approach to //King of Shadows// In the novel //King of Shadows//, Susan Cooper creates an environment where a reader could get consumed by the captivating story of Nathan Field’s journey through time. Cooper is able to depict William Shakespeare, history, and elements of theatre and stage life throughout the story that grab an audience’s attention. Cooper creates a wonderful novel that will get young adolescents thinking and have their imaginations working, but I believe if //King of Shadows// was made into a big screen film more young adults would read this novel.

//King of Shadows// is a fun story that incorporates historical and fictional elements together into a common medium that effectively grabs the audience’s attention. Not only is the story entertaining, but it teaches young adults. For instance, Cooper makes William Shakespeare a relatable character that people in general normally do not seem to feel connected to because he is arguably the greatest playwright of all time. You could even cast an actor such as Johnny Depp who is an actor that is so talented he would be able to play the part of William Shakespeare. By seeing this film come to live on the big screen young adults will have the opportunity to learn and see about Shakespeare’s plays, the bubonic plague, and life during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. The novel does a wonderful job in making the reader imagine what is happening to Nat Field, but for those who are more visual to see it on the big screen would help them understand this mystery.

Nowadays technology is so advanced that film makers will be able to captivate the time traveling in an illuminating way. Young adults will be able to see costumes, the production of a theatrical play, and living during the time of Shakespeare. This might help some to understand exactly how life used to be. Making //King of Shadows// would be a fun way for people to see Shakespeare in a new and relatable manner. //King of Shadows// as a film might have the same effect on young adults as //Harry Potter// or //Twilight// has had because young adults see the movie and enjoy it so much that they are excited about reading the novel. It becomes fun and relaxing for them. In the classroom having //King of Shadows// on DVD would be a resourceful tool to have for students. I would be able to show the clips from the movie to explain parts of the book that they might not be fully understanding.