Invoke the name Shakespeare and one word comes to mind…DRAMA. Whether it’s a comedy or a tragedy, you know some shiz is about to go down. It’s easy to see why so many things in pop culture are inspired by his classic takes on love, revenge, and murder. Read on for nine ways to refresh yourself on Shakespeare’s works without reading a single play.
1. The Winter’s Tale → Exit, Pursued by a Bear by E.K. Johnston
Veronica Mars meets The Winter’s Tale when Hermione Winters, the captain of her cheerleading team, refuses to be anyone’s cautionary tale after the unspeakable happens at training camp.
2. Twelfth Night → She’s the Man
Starring Amanda Bynes and a pre-Magic Mike Channing Tatum, She’s the Man follows Viola as she pretends to be her brother to play soccer at an elite boarding school. She ends up falling in love with her teammate Duke, who’s in love with Olivia, who happens to be in love with Viola-as-Sebastian. Yikes!
3. The Taming of the Shrew → 10 Things I Hate About You
In order to date Bianca, Cameron must find someone to date her shrew-ish sister Kat. Patrick Verona is up to the task and ends up falling in love with her, but will it last once Kat finds out the truth?
4. Romeo and Juliet → Dreamers Often Lie by Jacqueline West
When Jaye returns to school after a mysterious accident, she starts to notice unnerving similarities between her life and some of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Is it real life, or is her mind playing tricks on her?
5. Othello → O
A modern-day Othello story set at an elite prep school? Yes please! Jealous of Odin’s connection to his coach father, Hugo hatches a plan that will take everything away from Odin–and result in devastating consequences for both of them.
6. A Midsummer Night’s Dream → Get Over It
Loosely based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Get Over It tells the story of how Berke tries to win back his ex-girlfriend Alison by starring in the school play with her…only to fall in love with his best friend’s sister instead. Featuring Sisqo, Vitamin C, and Shane West, Get Over It will make all of your early 2000’s dreams come true.
7. Romeo and Juliet (option #2) → Like No Otherby Una LaMarche
This New York love story tells the tale of Devorah and Jackson, two neighbors whose meeting sparks an unexpected love that goes against their family’s wishes. The forbidden nature of their relationship forces them to consider how much they’re willing to give up.
8. Hamlet → The Royals
The Royals introduces us to a fictional British royal family, in which the King’s brother would probably do the unthinkable in order to usurp his brother’s throne.
9. Macbeth → Scotland, PA.
Welcome to Scotland, PA, where unambitious fast food employee Joe McBeth becomes a successful entrepreneur thanks to his ambitious wife’s plan to murder their boss.
Ready to get your Shakespeare on? Start with the first chapters of Exit, Pursued by a Bear!
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