SHAKSPER 2002: Re: Baz Luhrmann Review

From: Hardy M. Cook (editor@shaksper.net)
Date: 12/19/02 

The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 13.2445  Thursday, 19 December 2002

From:           Hiba Taylor <hktaylor1972@yahoo.com>
Date:           Wednesday, 18 Dec 2002 15:19:03 -0800 (PST)
Subject: 13.2425 Re: Baz Luhrmann Review
Comment:        Re: SHK 13.2425 Re: Baz Luhrmann Review

hmmm...I find the posting "Unfit for Teens (was Re: Baz Luhrmann Review)
a bit troubling.

I'm not sure... about which part of the posting is the writer joking? As
a teacher of high school students I find his suggestion that teens
should not be exposed to uncensored publications or productions of R & J
hard to swallow.  When we read the play my students dive right in when
it is presented to them as a centuries old play that touches on many of
the same traumas (and dramas!) teenagers experience today.  "Steamy
Pubescent sexuality, morbid depression, homicidal gang violence, teen
suicide" along with defiance against parental authority and the
characteristically teenage like confusion between love and lust are all
in our teens minds and lives today.  Aren't they very much like R & J?
If we censored the play what is the purpose of reading it- for anyone?
What is the purpose of reading anything that is censored? I wonder who
really understands teens-I'm not saying I do, but I'll admit that, on
some level, Shakespeare did.

Hiba Taylor (grad. student & teacher)

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