Wherefore Art Thou Shakespeare in Contemporary Musicals and Pop Music?: How Artists Gain Value from Plays Written Centuries Ago

Shakespearean adaptations have long been an accessible mode of storytelling in theater, film, and music, allowing new writers to address contemporary concerns through the reimagination of familiar tales. Beyond straight adaptations that clearly take Shakespearean plots and reenvision them, there are also numerous works that utilize resonances from Shakespeare to add value for audiences. From Taylor Swift's song "Love Story" to The Lion King, Shakespeare's work is prominently featured in some of the most consumed media of the late 20th and 21st centuries. To fully discern both why the Bard has remained relatable to young audiences of popular cultural products and how this influence manifests itself, it is essential to understand the forces that impel some authors to fade from fame while others stay relevant. Using theoretical approaches to popular culture informed by the works of Theodor Adorno and Dwight Macdonald, this paper investigates the ways in which artists have molded and transformed Shakespeare's work to convey their own messages. It addresses why Shakespeare's work remains so commercially successful, and what specifically about it allows for it to span centuries yet remain pertinent to our culture. This paper contributes to conversations on the intersection of Shakespeare and popular culture by arguing that the Bard's work reflects the very core of human nature, lending itself to diverse interpretations by contemporary artists across various media platforms. The themes of Shakespeare's work are not limited to his time, but instead address the many triumphs and tribulations which artists today seek to capture.