William Shakespeare



William Shakespeare was an English writer and dramatist who, in his life, was one of the most highly respected playwrights of the and  eras and, today, is recognized as perhaps the greatest writer in the history of the English language. Born in, he moved to London as an adult to build a career as an actor and writer, and became the author of at least , , and many poems. Shakespeare's works and influence have lived long beyond the man himself, making their way into all parts of the world. Futurama is no exception, having referenced Shakespeare and his works multiple times, which will be listed here.

Season 1

 * The title refers to Shakespeare's comedic play .
 * The title refers to Shakespeare's comedic play .

Season 2

 * As Giant Bender dies, Fry says the phrase "Goodnight, sweet prince" to him. The phrase was spoken by Horatio as Prince Hamlet dies in Act V, Scene II of .
 * As Giant Bender dies, Fry says the phrase "Goodnight, sweet prince" to him. The phrase was spoken by Horatio as Prince Hamlet dies in Act V, Scene II of .


 * A defrostee says that he froze himself to meet Shakespeare, figuring that time was cyclical. Fry, however, said that time was a straight line.
 * A defrostee says that he froze himself to meet Shakespeare, figuring that time was cyclical. Fry, however, said that time was a straight line.

Season 3

 * The title refers to Shakespeare's play .
 * The title refers to Shakespeare's play .

Season 4

 * Fry, Bender, and Leela visit "The Beast With Two Bucks", a sex shop. The name of the store refers to the phrase "the beast with two backs", a slang term for sexual intercourse which was used in Shakespeare's play .  The phrase pre-dates Shakespeare as a French phrase ("la beste à deux doz"), but was first used in English by Shakespeare.
 * Fry, Bender, and Leela visit "The Beast With Two Bucks", a sex shop. The name of the store refers to the phrase "the beast with two backs", a slang term for sexual intercourse which was used in Shakespeare's play .  The phrase pre-dates Shakespeare as a French phrase ("la beste à deux doz"), but was first used in English by Shakespeare.

Films

 * The title makes the same reference to Othello as "Spanish Fry", referring to the phrase "the beast with two backs".
 * The title makes the same reference to Othello as "Spanish Fry", referring to the phrase "the beast with two backs".


 * As Fry and Leela are bidding goodbye to one another outside Planet Express, Leela says to Fry "Goodbye, sweet goofbag". This could refer to the "Goodnight, sweet prince" line from Hamlet, which was previously referred to in "Anthology of Interest I".
 * As Fry and Leela are bidding goodbye to one another outside Planet Express, Leela says to Fry "Goodbye, sweet goofbag". This could refer to the "Goodnight, sweet prince" line from Hamlet, which was previously referred to in "Anthology of Interest I".

Season 6

 * When Leela believes Fry has been killed by Lrrr, she remarks "Goodnight, dumb prince", which is another reference to "Goodnight, sweet prince" from Hamlet.
 * When Leela believes Fry has been killed by Lrrr, she remarks "Goodnight, dumb prince", which is another reference to "Goodnight, sweet prince" from Hamlet.


 * One of the books that Bender speed-reads is called Shakespeare Typed By Monkeys - Volube 78 (sic). This refers to the the infinite monkey theorem which states that, given an infinite amount of time, a monkey at a typewriter will eventually write the complete works of Shakespeare.
 * One of the books that Bender speed-reads is called Shakespeare Typed By Monkeys - Volube 78 (sic). This refers to the the infinite monkey theorem which states that, given an infinite amount of time, a monkey at a typewriter will eventually write the complete works of Shakespeare.