[chae]

Sons on anarchy is essentially Hamlet on motorcycles.

[Tax-chick]

Good observations in both your responses. I haven't seen either of your specific examples, but it's hard to wreck Shakespeare, because the source material is so powerful. It's said that, "All of philosophy is a commentary on Plato." In a similar way, we could say that much of modern English-language theater (in whatever medium: stage, big screen, small screen) is an adaptation or elaboration of Shakespeare. And not just English-language: Akira Kurosawa did a Japanese-historical "Macbeth."

We recently watched a BBC production of a condensed Henry IV/Henry V, titled The Hollow Crown, starring Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki in some of those comic-book movies. It was an outstanding presentation, abridged but not updated, and the settings and action made the language intelligible even to our 12-year-old.

It was intended to be performed, not just read. Dialogue describes action, dress, and settings, and doesn't make as much sense if you're not seeing it.