If Shakespeare Was Alive Today, Would He Write Sitcoms?
From iambic pentameter to prime-time comedy?
William Shakespeare: the bard, the myth, the legend. He gave us Hamlet’s existential crisis, Juliet’s poor decision-making, and some of the best insults ever thrown on stage. But what if he were alive today, navigating streaming services, TikTok trends, and the Golden Age of Television? Would he be crafting another Hamlet—or would he be penning episodes of The Office?
Let’s be real: Shakespeare was all about entertainment. Sure, his works are now studied with the reverence of sacred texts, but in his own time, he was writing for the people. If he had access to Hollywood’s resources, who’s to say he wouldn’t be cranking out sitcom scripts instead of five-act tragedies?
The Case for Shakespeare as a Sitcom Writer
1. He Loved a Good Running Gag
Ever notice how Shakespeare loved repetition? Take Falstaff, the bumbling knight who keeps showing up in multiple plays because audiences couldn’t get enough of him. That’s sitcom energy right there. Imagine him as the lovable disaster of a lead in a Brooklyn Nine-Nine-style cop comedy.
Or consider Malvolio from Twelfth Night, a self-serious steward whose biggest moment is getting tricked into wearing ridiculous yellow stockings. That’s classic sitcom humiliation—think The Office’s Dwight Schrute meets Parks and Rec’s Ron Swanson.
2. He Mastered the “Will They/Won’t They” Trope
Shakespeare basically invented the slow-burn romance. Benedick and Beatrice from Much Ado About Nothing? They spend most of the play roasting each other while obviously being in love. That’s pure sitcom chemistry.
Now, place them in a modern setting:
- Benedick is a cynical news anchor.
- Beatrice is the rival journalist who always one-ups him.
- They start as enemies, bicker constantly, and—BOOM—season finale cliffhanger kiss.
Tell me you wouldn’t watch that.
3. He Was a Master of the Ensemble Cast
Shakespeare’s best plays thrive on multiple interconnected storylines—just like a great sitcom. A Midsummer Night’s Dream is practically the blueprint for a multi-plot sitcom:
- The clueless lovers (rom-com subplot)
- The mischievous supernatural pranksters (chaotic wildcard energy)
- The amateur actors failing spectacularly (comic relief)
It’s basically Friends, but with more magical donkey transformations.
4. He Had Sitcom-Level Absurdity
Shakespeare wasn’t above throwing in a completely ridiculous plot twist. Twins separated at birth? People falling in love instantly? A man disguised as a woman disguised as a man? All of this could fit right into a modern comedy series.
If Shakespeare were working today, he’d probably be pitching shows like:
- Everybody Loves Lear – A cranky old man divides his inheritance, and hijinks ensue.
- Two Gentlemen of Verona, One Apartment – Classic odd-couple shenanigans as two best friends navigate love, betrayal, and bad poetry.
- Much Ado About Wedding Planning – Beatrice and Benedick co-run an event planning business while constantly trying not to fall for each other.
Netflix, are you taking notes?
The Counterargument: Maybe He’d Go Prestige Drama Instead
Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that Shakespeare also excelled at high-stakes drama. He might skip sitcoms entirely and go full HBO series mode. Imagine:
- Game of Thrones, but written by Shakespeare. (More poetic insults, fewer Starbucks cups in the background.)
- Succession, but with Macbeth and Lady Macbeth scheming their way to corporate power.
- Euphoria, but it’s Romeo and Juliet, and the parents actually do something.
Let’s be honest—Shakespeare could do both.
Final Verdict: Shakespeare Would Write It All
If the Bard were alive today, he’d be all over Hollywood.
- A tragic period drama on HBO? Check.
- A political satire miniseries? Absolutely.
- A fast-paced sitcom on Netflix? You know he’d be in the writers’ room.
So, would Shakespeare write sitcoms? Not just sitcoms—he’d probably dominate every genre. The only question is: who would play Hamlet in his inevitable prestige TV reboot?
So, what do you think? Would Shakespeare be the next great sitcom writer, or would he be too busy crafting the next Breaking Bard? Let me know in the comments (or, you know, in your next sonnet). 🎭📺
References & Further Reading
- Greenblatt, Stephen. Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare. W.W. Norton & Company, 2004.
- McDonald, Russ. Shakespeare and the Arts of Language. Oxford University Press, 2001.
- Wells, Stanley. Shakespeare For All Time. Oxford University Press, 2002.
