William Shakespeare in Trafalgar Square: What Would He Find Strange Today?

If Shakespeare landed in Trafalgar Square today, he'd be shocked by mobile phones and cars. His plays are now seen worldwide, unlike in his time.
By Newsroom | Culture, History |

ECHOES IN TRAFALGAR SQUARE

A recent flurry of online discussion, spurred by a prompt in The Guardian, has imagined the Bard of Avon, William Shakespeare, suddenly appearing in modern London's Trafalgar Square. The hypothetical, recycled across various platforms, poses a simple yet profound question: what would strike the Elizabethan playwright as most peculiar in our contemporary world?

The core of the imagined encounter revolves around the sheer alienness of the surroundings and the populace. Readers mused that Shakespeare might initially perceive modern citizens as merely engaged in extended soliloquies, perhaps mistaking the incessant glow of mobile phones for some form of theatrical lighting or dramatic pronouncement. The absence of familiar modes of transport – specifically, a horse – was also highlighted as an immediate point of bewilderment.

Readers reply: What if Shakespeare was dropped in modern-day London? - 1

MORE THAN JUST A PLAY ON WORDS

Beyond the initial shock, the inquiry delves into broader cultural shifts. A piece from the 'British Council' dating back to 2015 ponders Shakespeare's own contemporary popularity versus his present-day acclaim. It notes that his works are now more widely accessible, performed globally in diverse settings from parks to cinemas, a stark contrast to the confines of his era's Globe Theatre.

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The enduring legacy of Shakespeare and its impact on theatre are further examined in a 2023 article by Anton Walbrook. This perspective traces the evolution of British theatre, acknowledging Shakespeare's foundational role while also pointing to subsequent movements, such as the social realism of the Edwardian era, which represent a departure from Elizabethan dramatic conventions.

The speculative scenarios, which also include figures like Florence Nightingale, Attila the Hun, Julius Caesar, Jane Austen, and Pocahontas, ultimately serve as a playful lens through which to view our own temporal context. They underscore how much has changed, and perhaps, how little, in the fundamental human experience that Shakespeare so masterfully captured.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What would William Shakespeare think if he appeared in London's Trafalgar Square today?
Shakespeare might see people looking at phones as if they were talking to themselves. He would also be surprised by cars and the lack of horses for transport.
Q: How is Shakespeare's theatre different from today's performances?
In Shakespeare's time, plays were only shown at places like the Globe Theatre. Today, his plays are performed all over the world in many different places, like parks and cinemas.
Q: Why is the idea of Shakespeare in modern London being discussed?
This idea is a fun way to think about how much the world has changed since Shakespeare's time. It helps us see our own modern life in a new way.
Q: What other famous people have been imagined in modern settings like Shakespeare?
Besides Shakespeare, people have also imagined Florence Nightingale, Jane Austen, Julius Caesar, and others appearing in today's world to see what they would think.