The uses of Shakespeare on American TV 1990-2010

Whitmire, Kendra Ann (2012). The uses of Shakespeare on American TV 1990-2010. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

Certain social, formal and technological aspects of television impact the creation of television, one of which is its being a postmodern medium full of intertextual references. Shakespeare is a common tool from which to draw for these references, and there are several types of appropriations of Shakespeare found on television. These include textual quotation, referencing a character name or play title, enacting or adapting the plays, sharing a similar plot, and alluding to famous scenes, actors, or adaptations of Shakespeare. There are two major categories of references: lengthy appropriations related to enaction/education and shorthand references. Seeing how Shakespeare references, especially the small, brief ones, are used within a show demonstrates how Shakespeare is a tool used in the creation and movement of a show. After outlining the important aspects of the television industry and defining the various common appropriations of Shakespeare, this study then focuses on several case studies to demonstrate the various uses of Shakespeare on television. By examining these case studies, the wide variety of Shakespearean uses will be discovered, as well as the similarities of appropriation, especially based on genre, thus demonstrating Shakespeare’s influence and how it is still is strong in modern culture.

Type of Work:	Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)
Award Type:	Masters by Research > M.Phil.
Licence:
College/Faculty:	Colleges (2008 onwards) > College of Arts & Law
School or Department:	School of English, Drama and American & Canadian Studies, The Shakespeare Institute
Funders:	None/not applicable
Subjects:	E History America > E11 America (General) H Social Sciences > HM Sociology N Fine Arts > NX Arts in general P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN1990 Broadcasting P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN2000 Dramatic representation. The Theater
URI:	http://etheses.bham.ac.uk/id/eprint/3324

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