Would Shakespeare be as famous if he were born today?

Question

Or was it a confluence of the right talent coming together with the right times?

Answer 1

Absolutely--if he were a Shakespeare for today. Many people answering this question seem to assume that he'd write the same 16th century plays in the 21st century--of course he wouldn't. BUT, a) obviously those same people have never seen a good Shakespeare production, or they'd know how well it really works (assuming they can understand it...), and b) they forget that he could write comedy, drama, romance, action, heroes, villains, traitors, scheming politicians, cold-blooded murderers, lovers both faithful and jealous....the list goes on. And he wrote that for the most popular medium of his time, which was theatre.

If Shakespeare was alive today, I have no doubt he'd apply his skill to writing absolutely amazing stories for the most popular medium of OUR time, which is film. Given the amount of crap on the movie screens, I'm absolutely certain he'd be one of the successful screenwriters in Hollywood. Wait..."10 Things I Hate About You", "O", "Titus", "She's the Man", "Much Ado About Nothing", "Hamlet" (with Ethan Hawke), "Hamlet" again (Mel Gibson), "Merchant of Venice" (Pacino), Baz Luhrman's "Romeo & Juliet"...He already IS one of the most successful screenwriters in Hollywood....!

Answer 2

It would all depend on the mindset of the audience. Because Shakespeare wrote during the Renaissance, when a lot of old ideas were being questioned, Shakespeare was popular because the audience was open to new ideas.

I don't feel that today's audience would truly appreciate Shakespeare. The language is too poetic, thus difficult to understand; the characters are complex; and the Shakespeare's plays are two hours (in the least) not thirty minutes plus commercials.

Answer 3

I see your point about the time with the talent being a lot to do with the appeal. But I think most of Shakespeare's plays have very timeless themes and I do believe that he would be just as sucesseful if he was around today. I'd like to think so anyway.

Answer 4

Interesting question. Given today's standards, Shakespeare might very well be laughed off the stage. What people think is good today would have been laughed off the stage 400 years ago. The bottom line is that there is only one Shakespeare and no other playwright has been able to match his profundity and wit.

Answer 5

Shakespeare was my kind of guy. He loved good wordplay. He was a mischievous, confident man that found a way to make his points about politics in such a skillfull way, that few even recognized his sarcastic wit at the time. Queen Elizabeth, such a wise woman herself, appreciated his wit and talents. She loved his histories and supported him above other playwrights. So between his abilities and the support given to him, he was able to make a name for himself.

However, he was anything but rich and famous during this time period. As with many artists, it was after his death that his works were widely recognized. So why have they remained popular throughout a span of 400 years? He related to the common man.....to the rich man........to royalty.......and to the working class. He was "Everyman." Even today we relate to the themes and play he expressed in both his tragedies and comedies.

Would he be famous today? I have a feeling he would. His words would obviously not be as poetic.....but they would be just as strong in statement and purpose.

Answer 6

No, not a chance. people these days are interested in other things, they like to see action movies, horrors, you name it. Do you really think that they are gonna take the time to watch Othello, Hamlet or Romeo & Juliete?? Hell no!!! And besides these days people have alot of other thing to do, like sports and stuff. So no, Shakespeare would be a poor writer and when he dies people would see how great he really was.

Answer 7

it's impossible to imagine. so much of modern literature, not just plays, but everything, was based on his work that without him nothing would be the way it is. according to harold bloom, a noted literary critic, shakespeare basically invented the concept of character, both in literature and in ourselves. there's a good chance that shakespeare is the biggest influence on the way you look at yourself and other people. it's like asking what life would be like without the wheel. it would be so completely different as to be not worth asking.
it's crazy to imagine.

Answer 8

I think if Shakespeare were born today he wouldn't be very famous... he would be a newborn baby.

Answer 9

Yes, talent like his would somehow shine through all the blithering idiots of this uncouth generation. Besides, he is way cool.

Answer 10

I think he is overrated anyway. We've had 500 years to improve, and we have. I know this is completely counter to what everyone else says, but I'm sticking to my convictions.