Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Humanities
First Advisor
Myhill, Nova
Keywords
Shakespeare, Graphic Novels, Neil Gaiman
Area of Concentration
Literature
Abstract
This thesis addresses the adaptation and appropriation of both William Shakespeare's plays and his identity in contemporary graphic novels. It argues that there is a great disparity between historical accounts of Shakespeare and the way he is currently perceived in Western society, and this disparity greatly influences contemporary adaptations. The graphic novel, as a medium of popular literature, is presented as a useful and appropriate genre for contemporary adaptations of Shakespeare; this argument stems from the analogous relationship displayed between Renaissance theater and graphic novels. To support this argument, the introduction of this thesis contains a brief history of the Renaissance theater and authorship, and compares them with graphic novels. The first chapter analyzes several graphic novel adaptations and appropriations of Shakespeare's plays and identity, exploring the roles of authorship, culturally constructed identity, and the various ways contemporary authors interpret Shakespeare. The second chapter is a close reading of Neil Gaiman's graphic novel The Sandman, which is used as an example of a text that both adapts Shakespeare's plays and uses his culturally constructed identity as part of its own narrative fiction.
Recommended Citation
Beebe, Bianca, "The Adaptation and Appropriation of Shakespeare in Neil Gaiman's Graphic Novel The Sandman" (2012). Theses & ETDs. 4552.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4552
Rights
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