Though Shakespeare is one of the most renowned playwrights in the English language, very little is actually known about his life. Historians know that he was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564, married Anne Hathaway at age 18, had three children, and wrote some of the most famous plays in the world. However, even this has been called into question, as many scholars now claim that people like Francis Bacon or Christopher Marlowe actually wrote his plays for him. Because of this lack of information about Shakespeare's life, our best way of learning about Shakespeare is to read his plays. Shakespeare left behind thousands of words, and though they do not describe him directly, they offer us the chance to understand Shakespeare and infer details about his life and personality through what he wrote.
As a way to further explore Shakespeare's personality and have some fun as well, this week's blog post is going to incorporate some creative writing. Think about what Shakespeare would be like if he lived today. Would he still be a famous playwright? Would he even be a playwright, or would he have a different job, such as a screenwriter? Would he still live in London, or would he have moved somewhere else, like New York or Paris? Briefly tell us about your vision of a modern Shakespeare. Be creative and have fun with this!
This blog is being moderated by Andrea and Meera.
13 comments:
If Shakespeare was living today, I think that he would be simply a modernized version of his self. Most likely, he would be one of the most desired playwright throughout the world, especially America. He would move to key spots in the U.S., most likely New York. After becoming a renowned playwright and broadway director, he would eventually move up the social ladder and being screenwriting for movies and TV productions.
Shakespeare spend the rest of his life moving back and forth between Europe and U.S. for work. He would not retire until old age forces him to and becomes a worldwide legend in screenwriting and stage productions.
If Shakespeare lived in today's society, I feel that he would not be as famous of a playwright as he was. Considering that now, almost everyone is educated, not only citizens of the Upper Class, Shakespeare may not have the oppurtunity to stand out as much as he did.
With his eloquent, flowing diction, however, I also believe that Shakespeare would find a way to make himself distinctly known in modern society. Shakespeare would be born in London, but would not be limited in his worldy travels. If he continued to be a playwrite, I see him winning many prizes and awards for his works and being desired to travel all over the globe.
Since technology has evolved so greatly since Shakespeare's time, I envision many of his plays being transformed into movies and broadway productions. Shakespeare, however, would probably want to be in control of his precious works, and would insist on being in charge of the screenwriting and stage productions.
I think that Shakespeare today would stil be considered a writing genius, but not as much. Someone else would have created those archetypes in the past 400 years. After all, the majority of Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies have the same skeletal structure.
Other writers would still mimick his style however. I agree with Channing. I could forsee him living in New York or London, working alongside David Mamet or Patrick Marber. I think his career would start off in college, and then progress to regional theatre, and eventually to the professional stage and screen. Or perhaps, he would have found other interests in the modern age. Maybe he would develop a passion for computers or politics. I think that Shakespeare was more interested in creating a mirror than creating entertainment.
Were Shakespeare living in today's world, I imagine that he would still be writing plays as he was when he actually lived. I picture him living in a loft in some urban area and producing and writing plays. However, I must agree with Ashley and Coleen that he would most likely not be quite as successful. Plays during Shakespeare's time were extremely popular forms of entertainment, but, with the advent of new technology and different social attitudes, their popularity has declined. Among certain groups stage actors and playwrights are probably still well known, but the general population is not as in tune to the goings on in the theatrical world. Therefore, I believe that Shakespeare would enjoy a certain level success and fame but within an elite group of those who are involved in or truly appreciate the theater arts.
Interesting comments! Everyone seems to believe that Shakespeare would still be a playwright. Does anyone else think differently? Also, don't be afraid to get creative with Shakespeare's personal life as well. Is he married? Does he have children? What does he do in his free time? Keep up the good work everyone!
I am going to with the opposite approach. I think if Shakespeare lived today he would not be nearly as famous as he is now. After his classic works had been taken to the big screen and refromed several times, his glory would slowly fade. As he reached into his older age his writing would not keep up with the times and all the advancements of today's world. He would be traveling around Europe promoting his classic works but would be permanently living in London directing small theatre productions and screen plays. Eventhough Shakespeare would fade out of the glory days his works will still be taught for decades to come.
Shakespeare would be a hipster if he lived in today's world. Every morning, he would order a caramel macchiato at Starbucks, while typing away on his laptop. I imagine him often fondling his absurd mustache that is kept curled. He would spend hours writing a new play, and then edit his work multiple times. Shakespeare only writes plays that have some sort of tragic or surprising twist. Every once in a while, his plays are printed, but he is not very successful. This is partly due to the fact that plays are not as popular as they used to be.
Therefore, Shakespeare has to work another job to pay the bills. After leaving Starbucks, Shakespeare heads to the local roller rink to operate disco night. He loves to roller skate, but not quite as much as he loves playwriting.
Alyssa, I like your thought about his works living on- he obviously made quite an impact even in Elizabethan times if we're still studying him now!
Deidre, yours made me laugh, especially the part about the caramel macchiato/ mustache combination. I love it.
Good work so far everyone!
If Shakespeare had lived today I honestly believe he would be a transexual. I understand that all men's roles were played by women in the theatre of that time period, but Shakespeare seemed to have more fun with it than most by including such gender questions in his actual plays, such as "Twelth Night." This coupled with sonnets addressed to young men is what brought me to this conclusion. I also believe he would still be involved in theatre, but more so in live stage performances rather than in the cinema and still relatively successful, though not as looked up to as such a writing god as he is now. Since his plays are supposed to have been written in simple, and occasionally crude language, I believe any movies he would have done for conventional Hollywood would have been vulgar comedies, similar to "The Hangover" and" Knocked Up."
If Shakespeare were a playwright of the twenty first century, I imagine that he would not be nearly as renound. Today, a successful career in the theatrical world is somewhat reliant on connections. For this reason, I think that Shakespeare would be among the many hidden talents of our time. He would travel between New York City and London on the cheapest commercial flights he could find, trying to make his name known, and would make desperate phone calls to publishers and producers from his low scale apartment. If his visions were to fail him on the stage he would attempt to make himself known as a screenwriter. His work would begin to focus less on romantic tragedy and more on the obscure as he would face the depressing effects of the economic recession. Anne Hathaway would work two jobs as a school teacher and a waitress to make ends meet, and their children would be students at P.S. 42. Eventually Shakespeare might become known for one of his independent films through the Sundance Film Festival. While he might never become famous, Shakespeare would be among the many hidden talents of our time.
Abby - would definitely have to agree with you, some of his plays are a little interesting about things like that!
The comments this week were really original. Thanks for your effort everyone :)
- Meera and Andrea
I dont think that Shakespeare would be nearly as famous and successful today as he was during his time period. Most aspiring playwrights struggle with finding work and making a living off of their pieces. He would probably live in a run down apartment in New York City will fellow struggling artists. He would not be married becasue no woman could handle his lack of a stable income and his intense dedication to his craft. William will eventually become homeless due to his lack of money and will beg for money from passerbys on the streets of Manhatten. However, he will still be content becasue he continues writing throughout his life.
Channing, I can definitely see him migrating between New York and London!
Ashley, I think Shakespeare would also want control of his work.
Coleen - good point that Shakespeare would no longer be the "creator" of these archetypes! Also, he is somewhat formulaic
Anne Stuart - interesting that he would appeal to an elite group in the future because that wasn't his audience in the past.
Alyssa - interesting thoughts that the multi-media may affect Shakespeare's popularity.
Deidre - you made me laugh with the hipster idea.
Abby - can definitely see your point! Kind of scary that his classic works might be translated as such today!
Alice - love your overview of the personal and professional
Andrea and Meera - terrific job on the prompt and on moderating!!
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