Why Not Have The Characters Speak In Plain English?

Because it was an adaptation, not an update.

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Part of the appeal of Shakespeare is the language; its rhythms, the wordplay and the wit. It's unhelpful, therefore, to equate it with the setting, which is largely ('though not completely) incidental. Besides, you've no shortage of adaptations to choose from in which the language is updated.

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I WANT THE TRUTH! http://www.imdb.com/list/ze4EduNaQ-s/

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"The dialogue can be changed yet the same storyline still told."

Possibly something like Shakespeare For Dummies?

since it takes place in Italy.

I know the slightly more arrogant will/would rip you for this opinion but I'm of a same mind though not necessarily for the same reason. I don't like the updating of the timeline contrasted by the old language, and more, the old reality. A lot of what they were saying just didn't fit in the context of modern times. I feel like more adaptations should include modern language and the standard Shakespearean language should be left to more strict adaptations.

Which writer would have the gall to rewrite Shakespeare? The beauty in his work comes from its language; it's poetry. There's no point in adapting his work if you're going to change what makes it special.