Journal 14....
If I were to be directing this play and perhaps set it in a modern setting, I would leave everything in its original context. Even if the issues that were involved in the original play are not as relevant today as they were, they will still have a significant message. If you were to take out the homosexuality and the racism, the play would probably lose much of its plot. It is true that being gay today is not as hard as it must have been back then, but it still has significant importance in our world today. It is no walk in the park to be gay in this day and time, and to take it out of a play like this would show that there is still an issue with it. The type of racism maybe directed at a different group of people but it is still a huge issue. To take these "Offensive Parts" out of the play would only make things dull and send a message that the parts are still issues, as they were back then.
Historically speaking
I agree. And if you keep the play in its historical context, the audience will think about it in that context. So, they will know that homosexuality was a big deal back then and be thinking about that as they watch the performance. Then, when comparing to modern day, the viewer can get even more of a meaning from it.
-Renee Ward
what to emphasize
One can more readily emphasize the sexuality related issues today than could have been done 400 years ago without offending too many people. Though male homosexual relations were essentially illegal, little was done to enforce the law. Not sure why, but lesbianism was not outlawed in the same way. We also don't see that much on display in the drama either. I guess lesbians as a group seem less threatening, then and now, than do gay men. Not sure why that is. Bradley
Bradley