Bard Bits: Here Be Monsters
When Shakespeare’s works are mentioned the association with him runs towards love stories, as in Romeo and Juliet or tragedies like Hamlet or even sweeping historicals found in the Henry plays.
Monsters may not be the forerunner feature in his stories but Shakespeare did populate his plots with creatures, witches, and ghosts—oh my, he certainly did. In fact, most of his well known plays contain monsters or scary aspects.
Romeo and Juliet: Juliet about to take the friar’s prescription for a faked death believes she sees her dead cousin’s apparition. Then there is the part of waking up in the family crypt surrounded by her cousin’s recent corpse and long dead relatives. *cue creepy music*
Hamlet: Our titular hero receives a guilt trip from his dead father’s ghost—not once but twice.
Julius Caesar: Brutus must contend with great Caesar’s ghost.
Macbeth: Not only is there the ghost of Banquo there is a trio of weird sisters.
Cymbeline: another batch of ghosts.
The Tempest: A sassy sprite named Ariel and whatever Caliban is supposed to be.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: speaking of sprites, Puck reeks of mischief galore.
Shakespeare inserted monsters into his plots because he pandered to the paying crowd and those folk of the Renaissance were a thrill seeking, superstitious bunch, queens and kings especially.
While Shakespeare created several memorable monsters his penchant for monstrous acts should be noted.
Offhand there is fratricide, homicide, verbal abuse, racism, sexual abuse, dysfunctional family relationships, and a mention about being wary when it comes to pie at dinner.
So—
Forget loading up on Frankenstein and Freddy for fright night watching. Instead save your anticipation for scare by streaming some Shakespeare.
Pam Webb 