So when Carty assigned us our capstone project, I immediately brainstormed a few ideas for what I can do my project on. Like all of my other projects, I wanted to do something humorous and over the top because I don't see the point of investing so much time into something and have the end product be boring and uninteresting.
My first idea was a music video. But what song can I do that's related to English? I figured that I can do a modern rap version of Hamlet, since the original is somewhat dull and the language can be difficult to understand. If I modernized the story and simplified the language, everyone who listens to my song can be exposed to the fantastic plot of Hamlet. However, about 5 minutes before writing this blog post, I googled "Hamlet rap" to see if anyone before me has done this and unfortunately, someone has. I read through the entire thing and I realized that there was no way I was capable of producing a rap song that can compete with this one (link below). Since I can't do it for my project, I decided to use it as the topic of this blog instead.
The mastermind behind this song, Shel Silverstein, uses very vulgar and explicit slang to rewrite Hamlet as if it was "told on the streets." Silverstein managed to significantly condense the story while maintaining its plot and integrity. Through his version, we can still learn what Hamlet is all about. Our experience is not encumbered by trying to decipher what Shakespeare's complex language actually means. Silverstein's version, entertaining and humorous, captures the reader's attention and gets right to the main points of the story. I'm an impatient reader, so when I read Hamlet, I was bothered with how the fanciful language dragged the story on past the point of necessity. You might say that I have low standards for literature or I'm not educated enough for the original Hamlet, but just read Silverstein's version and you will see where I'm coming from. Although it doesn't hold the original's literary merit, it communicates the story with ease, and that's what I care about. Shakespeare's words are great and all, but I'm more concerned with the actual story, and that's why I enjoyed Silverstein's version.
Here's the link. Just a quick warning, the story has a lot of profanity.
http://ringofsteel.deathstar.org/reference/raphamlet.html
I'm all for creative projects that are both fun and educational so I think condensing a story into a song is a great idea for the capstone project. Like you, I don't see the point in putting a lot of effort into a dull and boring project. I want come out with a project I am proud of and want to show off. Although the Hamlet rap was taken, you can still use a variety of other stories that we read in class or even do a rap on a certain part of Hamlet if you want. However, condensing a story into a song is difficult and takes a lot of thinking and patience. You really have to know the story to condense it while still maintaining key components and the integrity of the story. Therefore, I think your idea of a song or music video is a great idea and I know it will turn out great!
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