Question

The purpose of paraphrasing Shakespeares text is to

Answer 1

Make it easier to understand the gist of the story instead of focusing on the archaic language.

Answer 2

This question is incomplete. Here is the complete question:

The purpose of paraphrasing Shakespeare’s text is to ?

(A)change the setting to modern day.

(B) make the language easier to understand.

(C)correct possible mistakes in the original plays.

(D) outline the relations among the characters.

Answer:

The correct answer is option (B) make the language easier to understand.

Explanation:

The original Shakespearean works have a language that can be a bit difficult or strange for the reader.

The purpose of paraphrasing Shakespeare is to make reading easier for the reader.

Let's think of some Shakespearean phrases:

In Julius Caesar we have the phrase "Et tu, Brute?" and that is not written in any language we know. Paraphrased would be: "You too, Brutus?"

Consider also Hamlet:

"‘Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco." which a modern translation translates as ‘It’s just gone midnight,” said Bernardo. ‘Get off to bed, Franciso.’

In this way we can see how a paraphrase makes reading more understandable for us readers, therefore the correct answer is option B.