Shakespeare in a Postmodernistic Light

To be bored or not to be bored... that is the question most people pose when faced with the task of reading a Shakespeare play. The language is usually the culprit in every instance whether one is reading a Tragedy or a Comedy. For in itself, Will was a masterful storyteller whose stories pretty much can be applicable in any time period. But when bringing Hamlet or Taming of the Shrew to the stage or big screen, reflecting the work in a postmodern vein renders the story more accessible to broader audience. Some proponents of the Classically structured art as true art would reduce Taymor's Titus or Lurhmann's Romeo to the level of pop-art and thus not worthy of serious consideration. The point of modernizing such works, I believe, is not to take away from the Classical seriousness of the work. Rather, to bring the themes and story into a more digestible form so that everyone may be able to appreciate the message in the work. I have read Romeo and I've seen a Classical production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. While I was able to appreciate the beauty of these pieces, I got more enjoyment from a more contemporary or modernized version, even when the original dialogue is used. The coupling of a modern setting with the traditional language helps the audience to see the work as not just an updated version of a Shakespeare piece, but it brings the issues within the play into a comprehendable view. Yes, Othello may say, ""... An honorable murderer, if you will; for nought I did in hate, but all in honor.", but we see Laurence Fishburn has killed his wife thinking she's been unfaithful and we understand exactly how he feels.