How does the introduction to To Be Or Not To Be, Innit use language to achieve its purposes and what issues does it raise about language and power?

The first 200 words of this essay...

How does the introduction to "To Be Or Not To Be, Innit" use language to achieve its purposes and what issues does it raise about language and power?

The purpose of the text 'To Be Or Not To Be, Innit' is to persuade those who believe Shakespeare is not 'cool' enough to be used in modern society to not take negative attitude towards him and his works, and as a result, educate youths into developing a passion for Shakespeare. The author believes that civilization has abandoned Shakespeare, and he wishes to once again return it and the excitement which was created when the works were first published.

This is achieved through the genre of the introduction and the rest of the book, by merging both the old English of Shakespearian times and the modern teenage 'slang' to create a text which appeals to both crowds. By attempting to use street language, the reader gains a sense of familiarity with the writer, and the humour is used to make Shakespeare interesting rather than as a joke. However, the author also uses many sophisticated phrases, quotes from Shakespeare's texts, and the idea of educating the young in a 'modern' way