William Shakespeare in a sitcom? Are you having a laugh?

William Shakespeare is in what sitcom?

William Shakespeare is the central character in Upstart Crow in which David Mitchel plays England’s greatest writer of plays, poems and other stuff (?).

William Shakespeare who is now portrayed in a sitcom!

There are lots of references to his plays as well as to life in late 16th century England in general. The title is based on an insult someone applied to the bard at the time. They probably explained it in an early episode before I discovered this sitcom. I expect they called him an upstart because he came from a middleclass family, unlike his more aristocratic rivals.

Did William Shakespeare write comedies?

A lot of his plays are called comedies, but that is using the word in the technical sense, meaning most of the characters are alive at the end, as opposed to tragedies, where they are not and histories, where you could seldom get away from death. People did not write comedies with the intention that they would be comical. The meaning of the word has evolved.

Was there no humour in his works?

There was. Shakespeare, like all good writers, knew there was comedy in real life and his works included it, along with all the other elements of life: conflict, danger, mystery, love, greed. If it existed, he wrote about it. He also knew that humour helped balance the serious elements. Most, if not all, his works contain a great deal of humour.

What’s funny about this sitcom?

The stories. They often include ironic twists.
The language. There are lots of newly-invented words that sound pseudo-Elizabethan.
The characters. Shakespeare’s servant, Bottom, his parents, the actors in his company, the Lord Chamberlain and Kit Marlow, his aristocratic rival.
The dialogue. Witty exchanges between characters, especially William and Kate, his landlady’s daughter, who is a sharp but sympathetic critic and a feminist. She frequently points out examples of Shakespeare’s tendency to claim credit for words and phrases already in use and for story-lines taken from other works.
The unsubtle references to 21st century issues, especially Will’s regular rants about public transport.
Shakespeare himself! The character is unmistakeably David Mitchel, whilst a parody of the great man, showing all his faults, but remaining likeable. I like the fact that his relationship with Kate is paternal rather than romantic or sexual.

Is there a serious side to this parody of William Shakespeare?

The series satirises religious bigotry, corruption, classism and discrimination against women. It seems little has changed in 500 years. Not to mention public transport. It also satirises, in a milder, kindlier way, the pretentiousness of actors and all involved in entertainment.

What lessons are there for me?

Although I have said in a previous post that the Tudors get too much attention, There is always another side to a well-known story or character. In fact I have been working on a new novel set in Elizabethan times. It will be unlike anything you will have read before set in that period.
Comedy has many elements, any one of which can raise a laugh, but in combination they are powerful.
I could insert more humour into my writing without detracting from the other aspects, such as mystery, adventure or drama.

Finally…

I have got to admire the sheer audacity of anyone making a sitcom about such a national treasure, but I am glad it also shows affection for the bard.