Is Love Island the modern day’s Shakespeare?

by Daniel Falconer | 27 July 2018

Celebrated as one of the best playwrights the world has ever seen, William Shakespeare is a name that’s recognisable across the planet and different cultures. Despite that, recent research commissioned by snack brand popchips has revealed that only 34% of the British public actually enjoy his work! Asked whether his work could do with a modern day rewrite, 45% suggested that an injection of humour could help maintain their interest, with 41% suggesting fewer deaths, less monologues and more female roles would help bringing them in.

Shall we compare Paul to a summer's day? / Credit: ITV

With all of that in mind, popchips have taken the modern day phenomenon that is ITV2’s Love Island and put together a glossary of some of the most memorable Shakespeare lines, transforming them into a selection fit for a millennial. Check out some of our favourites below:

Did you just bite your thumb at me, sir? – Are you mugging me off, mate?
The lady doth protest too much, methinks – I’m well loyal, babe.
Give me my sin again – Let’s crack on
She doth teach the torches to shine bright – She is flames!
To thine own self be true – You do you, hun.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? – I massively rate you as a person.
A man can die but once – YOLO
There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so – Good vibes only.
I am a man more sinned against than sinning – Why me? Why am I always being pied?
The evil that men do lives after them – Karma’s a b***h, babe.

As well as this, popchips teamed up with YouTube sensation and comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg, who says: “When popchips asked me if I was up to the challenge of taking on The Bard, it was a no brainer. Is he a literary legend? Sure. Could I be one, too? Absolutely. Whatever your views on Shakespeare, I hope the British public enjoy the alternative plots I’ve developed for popchips – I’ve had a blast channelling my William within. We hope to be on stage before you know it – stay tuned.”