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Shakespeare

William Shakespeare's bust in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

Titania

Miss Piggy and Kermit portray Titania and Bottom from A Midsummer Night's Dream, photographed for a 1982 calendar.

Gonzofeatherboa

Gonzo recites lines from The Merchant of Venice while hanging by his nose from a feather boa.

William Shakespeare Muppet Meeting Film

Muppet Meeting Films, "Great Salespeople in History."

William Shakespeare (1564-1616) was the Elizabethan playwright and poet behind such enduring works as Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Richard III, Julius Caesar, The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and Hamlet. The latter in particular has often been spoofed or referenced by the Muppets. Shakespeare himself was caricatured as one of the Schoolroom Busts in The Muppet Christmas Carol.

References[]

In addition to the named plays above, which have been referenced many times, there have been assorted references to Shakespeare himself, his work as a whole, or one-shot references to other works.

The Muppet Show[]

  • Kermit paraphrases Henry IV in episode 102 when he tells the audience, "Sometimes the crown weighs rather heavy on this little froggy head."
  • Uncle Deadly explains his Shakespearean and theatrical background in episode 121, having played Hamlet and his greatest role, Othello (although he was killed by the critics on opening night).
  • Episode 213's Veterinarian's Hospital involves a series of puns on the writer and his famous plays, including Hamlet, Richard II, and Henry IV. In his ending spiel, The Announcer calls it " Veterinarian's Hospital-on-Avon" (referencing Shakespeare's birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon). Statler is offended at the lack of respect, claiming to be a student of Shakespeare. Waldorf notes that he was a student with Shakespeare.

Sesame Street[]

  • In episode 3040, Sir John Feelgood states one of his many acting credits is appearing in the play, "Two Grouches of Verona", playing both Grouches.

Other[]

  • Garth Brooks and Miss Piggy try to perform the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet in episode 102 of Muppets Tonight, but Piggy's nephews, Andy and Randy Pig (playing "The Two Men from Bologna"), ruin the number. Statler notes that Shakespeare would've hated the performance. Waldorf says that Statler should know about that, because he dated one of Shakespeare's sisters. Statler responds "Boy, was she ugly."
  • Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona is spoofed in episode 205 of Muppets Tonight with the sketch "The Two Homies of Verona".
  • The "Muppet Masters" profile of Uncle Deadly in the Muppets Now episode "The I.T. Factor" inevitably includes multiple Shakespeare references: posters are shown for his performances as Macbeth and Julius Caesar, and while demonstrating sword moves, he recites in iambic pentameter, "If music be the food of love, play on" (from Twelfth Night).
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