Science fiction is a genre very much associated with technological marvels, innovations, and visions of the future.
Sometimes his plays are reworked in a science fiction setting.
The 1956 filmForbidden Planetis just one of many variations on a Tempest in space theme.
Sometimes the playwright appears as a character caught up in a time travel adventure.
The Dr Who episodeThe Shakespeare Codeis a well-known example.
Here the Doctor praises Shakespeares genius, describing him as the most human human.
Ive been exploring this topic in my recent book onShakespeare and Science Fiction.
Here are just a few of my favorite examples of how science fiction has embraced and transformed Shakespeare.
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It was a strange example of life imitating art.
Was he one man from Stratford-upon-Avon?
The program starts to become self-aware and decides to leave its day to day tasks to its subordinates.
One rebellious piece of code takes on the role of Lears loving but stubborn daughter Cordelia.
Commander Data plays Prospero
Star Trek is one of science fictions richest sources of Shakespeare allusions.
This is just one example of a strange apparent association between Hamlet and robots.
More recent examples includeLouise LePages Machine-Hamlet, a short film in which a robot called Baxter plays the Dane.
Why does Hamlet apparently one of Shakespeares most three-dimensional characters invite so many robotic reinventions?
Is there something almost computer-like about the characters phenomenally quick intelligence?
Perhaps its that sense of a struggle to escape which best explains his odd affinity with robots.
