Late Romances

Exploring Shakespeare's Late Romances and Their Diverse Adaptations

The term "late romances" refers to the final phase of William Shakespeare's illustrious playwriting career, characterized by a fusion of dramatic genres and the incorporation of fantastical elements. His late romances, notably "Pericles," "Cymbeline," "The Winter's Tale," and "The Tempest," have transcended the confines of the stage, finding new life in various adaptations. These plays have been reimagined in silent films, television series, and contemporary movies, each offering a unique perspective shaped by the cultural and technological context of the adaptation's time.

The Onscreen Journey of "Pericles, Prince of Tyre"

Although "Pericles, Prince of Tyre" is not as widely recognized as some of Shakespeare's other works, it has nonetheless been adapted for television and educational purposes. The BBC Television Shakespeare project, which ambitiously sought to televise all of Shakespeare's plays, featured "Pericles" in its 1984 season. This adaptation, with Edward Petherbridge as Gower and Mike Gwilym as Pericles, was later distributed in the United States within the "Complete Dramatic Works of William Shakespeare" collection, thereby extending its reach and serving as a valuable educational asset.

The Evolution of "Cymbeline" in Adaptations

"Cymbeline" has enjoyed a rich history of adaptation, beginning with a 1913 silent film directed by Lucius Henderson and starring William Russell and Florence La Badie. The BBC Television Shakespeare series presented its own rendition in 1982, featuring performances by Richard Johnson and Helen Mirren. In a more contemporary adaptation, the 2014 film directed by Michael Almereyda starred Ethan Hawke, Ed Harris, and Milla Jovovich, demonstrating the play's enduring resonance and its adaptability to modern cinematic storytelling.

"The Winter's Tale" in Film and Television

"The Winter's Tale" has been adapted into various formats, including a 1910 silent film, the director of which is not definitively known, and which starred Anna Rosemond and Martin Faust. The BBC Television Shakespeare series adapted the play for the small screen in 1981, with Jeremy Kemp and Anna Calder-Marshall leading the cast. The narrative's versatility was further showcased in a 1994 stop-motion puppet animation for "Shakespeare: The Animated Tales." Additionally, the Royal Shakespeare Company's 1999 production at the Barbican was filmed and released on video, contributing to the play's extensive adaptation history.

"The Tempest" and Its Multifaceted Adaptations

"The Tempest" stands as one of Shakespeare's most celebrated late romances and has inspired a multitude of adaptations across different media. An early film adaptation was produced in 1911 by director Edwin Thanhouser. The play's themes were reinterpreted in the 1956 science fiction film "Forbidden Planet" and in a 1960 "Hallmark Hall of Fame" television version. The British television series "Doctor Who" presented a loosely based adaptation titled "Planet of Evil" in 1975. The BBC Television Shakespeare series broadcast "The Tempest" in 1980, and in 2010, director Julie Taymor offered a film adaptation featuring Helen Mirren as Prospera, a gender-reversed take on the protagonist Prospero. These adaptations underscore the play's timeless appeal and its capacity to engage audiences through a variety of genres and artistic approaches.

The Educational Significance of Shakespeare's Adaptations

Adaptations of Shakespeare's late romances are not merely for entertainment; they also serve as significant educational resources. By translating these classic narratives into different media, they become more accessible to diverse audiences, including students encountering Shakespeare for the first time. These adaptations facilitate the understanding of Shakespeare's complex language, themes, and characterizations, offering a complementary experience to textual analysis. They are thus invaluable to educators and students, enhancing the educational exploration of one of the most influential playwrights in the English literary canon.