This term paper highlights Shakespeare’s major impact on the literary world today. Not only does the fact that he is enshrined in the Western and the international canon support his incredibly high status, but also the fact that Shakespeare has experienced a great deal of both linguistic and cultural translation. On that account, the paper seeks to investigate Shakespeare’s canonicity, and to what extent the retelling represents a cultural translation of Romeo and Juliet. Since the story takes place in Shanghai and because the author’s background is transcultural, the novel will be treated as an Asian transcultural retelling, although it was written outside of Asia.
Shakespeare and his works are still considered significant and continue to influence various artists. Not only do his plays belong to the era of the Early Modern Age but they also belong to the present, which is continuously rediscovering and reviving them. The worldwide cultural importance of Shakespeare and his concepts are confirmed by the abundance of new adaptations and retellings that have appropriated and expanded them. The expansion of his themes creates a multitude of interpretive possibilities and retellings. Romeo and Juliet, in particular, is an exceedingly popular work that has been received and retold countless times in all sorts of variations. Romeo and Juliet’s canonicity is founded on universality, timelessness, complexity, poetic language, and on a compelling story of forbidden love.
"These Violent Delights", a novel by Chinese-born New Zealand author Chloe Gong, published in 2020, is a retelling of the famous play Romeo and Juliet, in which a wealth of Shakespearean themes have been maintained and expanded by other aspects. Set in 1920s Shanghai, the novel deals with the blood feud between two Shanghai gangs. At the center of this feud are embittered ex-lovers Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov. But when a madness sweeps over the city and kills its inhabitants, Juliette and Roma must put their hatred aside to fight the madness together. This novel represents a retelling that offers an abundance of additional themes. The classic is now in a new cultural setting without losing its core themes of love, hate, and blood feud. Such a retelling raises the question of which of his concepts have been revisited and which have been altered.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. ‘Shakespeare as ‚World Literature‘
2.1 Shakespeare in the Western Canon
2.2 Shakespeare in East Asia
3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
3.1 „Shakespeare’s timeless ideas, just wrapped up in a different shape“ - Similarities to Romeo and Juliet
3.2 A Cultural Translation
4. Conclusion
5. Works Cited
Objectives and Topics
This paper explores the far-reaching influence of William Shakespeare's work in the modern literary landscape, specifically investigating how Chloe Gong's 2020 novel "These Violent Delights" serves as a transcultural retelling and cultural translation of "Romeo and Juliet" set in 1920s Shanghai.
- Analysis of Shakespeare’s canonicity and international status
- Examination of Shakespearean adaptations in East Asia
- Comparison of thematic parallels between "Romeo and Juliet" and "These Violent Delights"
- Evaluation of cultural translation processes in transcultural literature
- Discussion on how historical and social settings reshape canonical works
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 „Shakespeare’s timeless ideas, just wrapped up in a different shape“ - Similarities to Romeo and Juliet
These Violent Delights, which is a quote from Friar Lawrence spoken in act 2, scene 6, is a Romeo and Juliet retelling by Chloe Gong. Set in 1920s Shanghai, the story is about Juliette Cai and Roma Montagov, two heirs to the city's two most powerful rival gangs, Scarlet Gang and White Flowers. However, unlike the plot of Shakespeare’s famous play, the two are not 15-year-old star-crossed lovers but have already skipped that step. The novel is set four years after their relationship, and both are bitter ex-lovers with complex and mysterious pasts. Amidst the constant political turmoil of the Chinese Civil War and growing Western imperialism, a plague called madness takes center stage, which causes people to rip out their own throats. Due to this circumstance, the two heirs must put their hatred aside and join forces against their family’s will to fight the plague. Thus, the story is a complicated enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers story. Due to the fact that Gong’s novel is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the question arises of how much has been changed and which elements have been revisited.
Since These Violent Delights is a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, there is a sense of familiarity. However, Gong takes the story to a whole new level as additional themes expand the plot, making the story feel like a completely new one. Nevertheless, upon closer reading, there are many parallels to the original work that one might not have apprehended at first glance. Because there are many similarities to Romeo and Juliet and lots of additional topics addressed, this term paper is limited to only a few in order not to go beyond the scope of the actual topic.
Chapter Summary
1. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the paper, introducing the enduring influence of Shakespeare and the primary focus on Chloe Gong's adaptation as an Asian transcultural retelling.
2. Shakespeare as ‚World Literature‘: This chapter examines Shakespeare's significance beyond the West, focusing on canonization theories and his expansion into East Asian literary contexts.
2.1 Shakespeare in the Western Canon: This section details Harold Bloom’s views on the Western canon and Shakespeare’s central role within it as a master of aesthetic quality and historical significance.
2.2 Shakespeare in East Asia: This section explores how Shakespeare is adapted and appropriated in China, highlighting the blend of local and global cultural elements.
3. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong: This chapter introduces the primary literary text, focusing on the story's setting and the characters' conflict.
3.1 „Shakespeare’s timeless ideas, just wrapped up in a different shape“ - Similarities to Romeo and Juliet: This section analyzes specific parallels between the original play and Gong's novel, such as the star-crossed lover trope and the use of violence.
3.2 A Cultural Translation: This section discusses the transcultural nature of the novel, analyzing how identities and Chinese historical contexts interweave with Shakespeare’s themes.
4. Conclusion: This chapter summarizes the findings, confirming that Shakespeare's work maintains profound relevance through constant reinterpretation and cultural translation.
5. Works Cited: This section lists the academic sources utilized for the research.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, These Violent Delights, Chloe Gong, Canonization, Cultural Translation, Transculturality, Retelling, 1920s Shanghai, Literary Adaptation, Western Canon, World Literature, East Asian Literature, Identity, Intertextuality
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this term paper?
The paper focuses on the endurance of William Shakespeare's work and analyzes how Chloe Gong's novel "These Violent Delights" functions as a modern, transcultural adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet".
What are the primary thematic fields covered in the work?
The main themes include literary canonization, the process of cultural translation, the blending of Western and East Asian cultural narratives, and the sociopolitical setting of 1920s Shanghai.
What is the central research question?
The paper asks how far-reaching Shakespeare’s canonicity is and to what extent Gong’s novel represents a successful cultural translation of his source material.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author utilizes a comparative literature approach, analyzing secondary literature regarding canonical studies (specifically Harold Bloom) alongside an in-depth textual analysis of Gong's novel.
What topics are discussed specifically in the main body?
The main body examines Shakespeare's position within international literary circuits, discusses the concept of transcultural retellings in China, and compares specific plot elements between the original play and the novel.
Which keywords characterize this publication?
Key terms include Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, cultural translation, adaptation, canonisation, transculturality, and Shanghai.
How does the author define "cultural translation" in this context?
The paper follows the perspective that cultural translation occurs in the space between different entities and cultures, where original concepts are not just copied but are constantly transformed and re-interwoven.
How does "These Violent Delights" differ from the original play?
While the core themes remain, the setting is shifted to 1920s Shanghai, the genre incorporates horror and historical fiction, and the protagonist pair explores the complex dynamic of "ex-lovers" rather than "star-crossed" beginners.
What role does the author's background play in the work?
The author argues that Chloe Gong's transcultural background (born in Shanghai, raised in New Zealand) allows her to effectively bridge Eastern and Western identities, which is mirrored in the characters' experiences.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Anonym (Autor:in), 2022, "These Violent Delights" by Chloe Gong as a Cultural Translation of "Romeo and Juliet". How far-reaching is Shakespeare’s canonicity?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1278959
