The uses of Shakespeare on American TV 1990-2010

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.