Ah, William Shakespeare. The Bard of Avon, the legendary wordsmith whose plays have dazzled audiences for over 400 years. But what if I told you that the enigmatic playwright had access to one of the most revolutionary tools of our age, Instagram? You might ask, "To post or not to post?" Well, let's explore!
All the World's a Stage, and Every Insta Profile's a Canvas
If Shakespeare were alive today and found himself in possession of an Instagram account, one can only imagine the kind of content he'd share. Perhaps he'd kick off his social media journey by posting a slightly blurred Renaissance-style self-portrait, casually captioned, "This is me (for 'tis not I portrayed best by paint) #BlessedBeTheBard." Within hours, he'd receive comments from literature departments worldwide, losing themselves in a frenzy over potential hidden meanings.
Of course, Shakespeare couldn't resist sharing snippets of his greatest works with the online masses. His profile would feature a relentless stream of quotes, with each sonnet effortlessly competing against the latest cat meme or travel influencer's sea-view selfie. Imagine Ophelia gracing your feed as a moody black-and-white filter post: "I am ill at these numbers" with the hashtags #LoveLost, #MelancholyMonday, and #APrinkInALake.
The Use of Influencers and Sponsored Posts
Now, if anyone knew how to enthral an audience, it was our Will. His knack for captivating hearts and minds would certainly extend into the digital realm. Shakespeare might've collaborated with influencers of all stripes, perhaps drawing parallels between the moral depths of "Macbeth" and the consequences of an indulgent brunch. "Fair is foul, and foul is fair," posted by a trendy bean roastery or a Shakespearean food blogger, could go viral with a little help from sponsored ads.
And don't even get me started on sponsored posts: "Looking for a love that compares you to a summer's day? Check out Match.com #Ad" Or imagine discount codes for personalised ruffs (previously a high fashion choice) emblazoned with glowing customer reviews: "Once more unto the frills, dear friends!"
Ephemeral Stories and Timeless Plays
While Shakespeare’s plays are eternal, Instagram Stories vanish like a fleeting Juliet to her balcony. So, how would Shakespeare utilise this ephemeral feature to make his impact felt? Perhaps by penning miniature plays, a mini "The Tempest," perhaps, told chapter-by-chapter and clogging your notifications with daily updates as bewildering and enchanting as the plays themselves. "Hey nonny nonny, thou hast 24 hours to watch this finale before it expires!"
In grappling with the digital format, Shakespeare would discover new storytelling formats, though likely perplexed by the art of holding attention for more than a few milliseconds in our "blink-and-you-miss-it" age. To compound his efforts, he'd use emojis in an avant-garde fashion, "Romeo & Juliet, doomed đź’” lovers. Spoilers!", where his cheeky wit melded modern brevity with timeless artistry.
Fan Interactions Across the Globe
The age of digital interaction would enable the Bard to engage directly with fans. Imagine the joy of a literature student who, while hastily recounting their essay-writing woes involving iambic pentameter, discovers a comment from @straightOuttaStratford-upon-Avon Shakes proclaiming, "Thou art an ardent scholar, fret not!"
And fan pages? The possibilities are endless. A community of #BardBabes uniting over humour, tragedy, and tragedy-comedy memes exemplifying all the "Romeo" tropes in play, or recounting "When Hamlet met ghost dad, the ultimate family reunion episode!"
Shakespearean Hashtags: A Category Unto Themselves
The innovative genius undoubtedly would have created his own hashtags, bidding farewell to the pedestrian #nofilter in favour of bespoke alternatives: #ToBeOrNotToBeTrending, #MuchAdoAboutFilters, and #AllsWellThatEndsWithALike.
With quill in hand and smartphone at his side, Shakespeare might just prove the adage, "though this be madness, yet there is method in’t." The Bard’s adaptability to the modern age would sing through his Instagram presence, just as his words still sing today.
