William Shakespeare lived in Elizabethan England over 400 years ago. He was well-known at the time of his death with several plays circulating throughout Europe. However, Shakespeare’s popularity has proved to be ever-changing, growing and adapting with modern times – even four centuries later.

William Shakespeare

His play The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, usually shortened to Hamlet, was written sometime between 1599 and 1600. Though there aren’t concrete historical records, it is believed by many historians that Hamlet was performed with wide-reaching regularity that wasn’t properly recorded at the time.

Even in 2024, theatre-lovers can see Hamlet onstage, performed by the Denver Center Theatre Company. For those who might be intimidated by Shakespeare’s longest play, Hamlet, its themes and quotes can be found in abundance in pop culture.

“To be or not to be” is one of the most widely known and quoted lines in modern English. It is the opening phrase of a monologue delivered by a contemplative Hamlet in the original play. It is also recited by Charlie Chaplin in the 1957 film A King in New York. The line served as inspiration to the likes of Kurt Vonnegut, Malcolm X, Calvin and Hobbes – even George of the Jungle: “To swing, or not to swing?”

Slightly less famous is Hamlet’s “What a piece of work is man” soliloquy, delivered to Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. It crops up in pop culture in unexpected places including the animated film Coraline, civil war drama Gettysburg, and sci-fi epic Blade Runner.

Hamlet performed by the Karidian Company of Players in Star Trek

It might come as a surprise, but the Star Trek franchise was strongly influenced by Shakespeare, often including quotes, references, themes, and stories from his works. Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country features many Hamlet references and Shakespearean quotes. The film even inspired the creation of The Klingon Hamlet in 1996, a complete translation of Hamlet into Klingon.

Perhaps even more surprisingly, the animated TV series “The Simpsons” has run over 20 Shakespeare-themed episodes. One titled “Tales from the Public Domain” features Bart as Hamlet, Lisa as Ophelia, and Moe as Claudius.

Hamlet also influenced FX’s immensely popular series “Sons of Anarchy.” The creator of the show, Kurt Sutter, has explained that the characters were loosely based on those found in Hamlet. Primary character Jax Teller, portrayed by Charlie Hunnam, represents Hamlet. Throughout the series, he devolves from protagonist to anti-hero to villain as he’s corrupted by power.

The Lion King is often mentioned in comparison to Hamlet, but despite popular belief, the animated film wasn’t initially conceived as an adaptation of Shakespeare. The overall thrust of the plot is quite similar, and many have leaned into the parallels: a jealous brother kills the King, only for his son to defend the throne. However, there is much less death and much more comedy in The Lion King.

The lesser known sequel, The Lion King 1 ½, is compared to yet another Hamlet story. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, originally a 1966 play by Tom Stoppard then made into a 1990 film, draws several parallels. In both, the events of the original story of Hamlet are seen through the eyes of two periphery characters. In The Lion King 1 ½, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern can be compared to Timon and Pumba.

Direct adaptations of Hamlet include a 2000 film starring Ethan Hawke, a young adult novel by John Marsden, a 2018 romantic drama Ophelia told from her perspective (based on a novel by Lisa Klein of the same name), and more. It’s believed that only Dracula and Sherlock Holmes have appeared in more movies than Hamlet.

It is clear that both Shakespeare and Hamlet have infiltrated the pop culture domain. To gain a deeper understanding of the references, see Hamlet onstage in the Wolf Theatre.

DETAILS
Hamlet
Sep 13 – Oct 6, 2024 · Wolf Theatre
Tickets