Intertextuality

The piece of intertextuality that I found is the popular movie, 10 Things I Hate About You, which is based on the widely known Shakespearean play, The Taming of the Shrew. While the movie changes significant aspects of the play, the storyline is considerably the same. In an article that I found that discusses the relationship between the two texts, it points out clear references that are displayed in the film from the play. In the play Lucentio wishes to marry Bianca but can’t until Bianca’s sister, Katherine, is married. As a result, Lucentio pretends to be a tutor so he can become closer to Bianca. In the movie, Bianca is not allowed to date unless her sister Kat is dating someone. Cameron, a boy who is attracted to Bianca, acts as a French tutor to her so they can become closer. Another example of intertextuality between the two texts, is when in the play Petruchio, who is somewhat of a wild character, agrees to marry Katherine simply for the money that comes along with her. Similarly, in the film Pat agrees to date Kat in exchange for money that Joey bribes him with. Additionally, the characters personalities can be related between the two texts. Like Petruchio, Pat has a mysterious background; rumors roll around the school about how Pat once ate a live duck and the spent a year in prison. Examining these examples allows one to see how the film is a great example of intertextuality, in that it is shaped by the meanings and story of another text, in this case the play.