Shakespeare’s timeless stories are a frequent inspiration, even centuries after they were first written. (or borrowed or adapted, depending on who you ask!) For example, the slogan for Game of Thrones, “Winter is Coming”, is similar to the first line in Richard III, “Now is the winter of our discontent”. As we prepare for our discussion and read aloud of Richard III, here are some more ways that the Bard has influenced modern popular culture and media.
Richard III is available in other formats.
Sometimes Shakespeare’s influence is subtle. For example, North by Northwest and What Dreams May Come are titles that are taken from Hamlet quotes. A more recent instance is the hugely popular novel (and subsequent movie) The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. While Hazel and Augustus’s tale of love and loss is moving, it doesn’t bear much resemblance to its title’s inspiration, Julius Caesar. The full line, spoken by conspirator Cassius, is “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”
Of course, there are some Shakespeare influenced movies and books that make their connection to the Bard more obvious. Both 10 Things I Hate About You and Deliver Us From Eva (very different movies!) are based on The Taming of the Shrew, and famed director Akira Kurosawa made a few films based on Shakespeare plays. One of the more unusual examples is Forbidden Planet. In this classic science fiction movie, Robby the Robot is a stand-in for the spirit Ariel and Dr. Morbius takes the place of Prospero in this loose retelling of The Tempest.
Forbidden Planet is available in other formats.
So regardless if you're a huge Shakespeare fan or if you're just discovering the scope of his influence, you should come and discuss Richard III with us! After all, if you've ever said "A horse, A horse, My kingdom for a horse!", you've already quoted the play!
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