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> We routinely update Shakespeare. Do we? Further, than translating from English to a different version of English? > Westside Story is an updated version of

• DoreenMichele 4y ago
  My general understanding is that Romeo and Juliet has come to mean essentially the opposite to people today from the original intent of the story. They are described as star crossed lovers which used to essentially mean it was a bad idea for them to get together and now we think it means fate and other people are keeping apart two people who belong together. It was a story about two foolish youth and their feuding families making stupid choices, a kind of warning of what not to do. Now, we think it's about true love or some nonsense.
• op00to 4y ago
  > Do we? Yes. Literally what you said, right here. https://nosweatshakespeare.com/ebooks/shakespeare-for-kids/ https://nosweatshakespeare.com/ebooks/shakespeare-for-kids/
  • nhchris 4y ago
    I would have much less of a problem with these edits if they were loudly announced from the cover, and used not the original title of a work, but an altered one, such as "Ian Fleming For Kids". Though I wouldn't want to see originals displaced or even outnumbered by "For Kids" or similar versions. But if they use the original title and author, I expect the original work. Because that's literally what the title and author on a book cover mean - this work, as written and approved by this author, no different than the ingredients list on food. Anything else* is lying. *Translations give the translator's name, and don't pretend they're the original. And editors probably should be credited, but at least in that case the edits are approved by the author.