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The Shakespeare Code

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The Shakespeare Code

Through the years, the works of Shakespeare have been subject to numerous reinterpretations - latest in an episode of the television show, Doctor Who, in which the prominent English poet and playwright himself makes an appearance, constituting it as an excellent opportunity for introducing younger generations to his crafts. The portrayal of the Shakespeare, however, might differ a great deal from the prevalent idea of the widely known figure, describing him as rather foul-mouthed and possessing rude manners very unlike the deep and thoughtful plays he produced. Having the character appear more down-to-earth, it is obvious that the producers intended to depict him as a man of the people rather than simply a roundabout aristocrat. Nevertheless, certain parallels are drawn to the present-day by having the famous author almost possess rockstar-status among folks, forcing him to handle similar situations, like constantly attempting to maintain his good reputation by creating new plays on a weekly basis.
The episode also contains references to the numerous debates concerning Shakespeare’s controversial sexuality. At one point, he subsequently flirts with the title character of the show, at which the Doctor hastily observes, "Fifty-seven academics just punched the air", referring to the polemic disputations concerning this subject. Shakespeare is likewise seen romancing with the female protagonist, Martha, for whom he ultimately composes Sonnet 18, calling her his "Dark Lady" – a reference to the enigmatic feminine character in his Sonnets.
Besides this, there are several other allusions to Shakespeare's writings. Examples of this include the fact that the whole episode centres around the play Love's Labour's Won – a possible sequel to another one of Shakespeare’s works, Love’s Labour’s Lost, which has never actually been found. Also, when stepping out of the TARDIS, the Doctor exclaims "Brave new world", referring to The Tempest. Similarly, the three Carrionites advert to the Weird Sisters from Macbeth; like them, the Carrionites them make use of trochaic tetrameter and rhyming couplets to curse their opponents as well.
There is also a running joke throughout the entire story in which the Doctor establishes a paradox by inspiring Shakespeare to borrow phrases that he quotes from his very own plays, such as "All the world's a stage" and "The play's the thing" from As You Like It and Hamlet respectively. However, when Shakespeare himself coins the illustrious expression "To be or not to be", the Doctor suggests he holds unto it, at which the playwright decline, considering it to be "too pretentious".
The film cast has also made an admirable job in portraying life in the Renaissance, incorporating various characteristics from that time. Examples of this include the believe in the four humours which expresses itself when the Doctor has to announce a person’s course of death. The globe theatre makes an appearance as well, although its purpose might seem somewhat anomalous. Originally erected for the sole purpose of housing various plays, the building now functions as some sort of energy-converter utilized by the three Carrionites for summoning evil spirits. Nonetheless, the people behind the show have succeeded in recreating and authentic mood from back then, for example having so-called “groundlings” appear on the floor in front of the stage, cheering, drinking and eating at the same time – just as they were thought to do back then. It is this type of fusion between historical facts and science fiction which makes Doctor Who so unique. While some might feel uncomfortable of this particular combination, certainly many more is to find it outermost entertaining. Especially teenagers would properly find the wackiness and sexual undertones amusing and hopefully find motivation to start reading some Shakespeare themselves. To sum up, the show remains very much loyal towards the specific age and Shakespeare, counting numerous intertextual references which are then joined with the silliness that characterize Doctor Who, acting as an exceptional way of entertaining mainly young adults while optimistically providing them with the interesting in continuing working with Shakespeare.

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