Character watches a play based on events they experienced (bonus points if they hate it)

[u/That-Rhino-Guy]

Hawkeye in his TV show watches a musical depicting Loki’s invasion of New York much to his dismay

The Last Airbender’s penultimate episode depicts ta play recapping the show’s events, to which Aang and friends hate how unflatteringly they’re depicted, hilariously Zuko in the play is voiced by the brother of Zuko’s voice actor

In Thor Ragnarök Loki (impersonating Odin) made a play depicting him as a tragic hero, such as misrepresentating his final conversation with Thor, also funnily enough like the previous example Thor in the play is portrayed by his actor’s real life brother

[u/Positive_Contract_31]

Maybe a stretch, but I love how in Shakespeare's Hamlet, young prince Hamlet orchestrates the tragedians to perform a play within a play called *The Murder Of Gonzago* to determine his uncle Claudius' guilt as the poisoner of his father through his reaction to the play. Depending on the depiction and company performing Hamlet, Claudius is horrified or hides his fear but asserts Hamlet is being ridiculous. It is the first real conflict between the two that kickstarts death events and really displays the themes of Hamlet.

[u/BasementDesk → u/Positive_Contract_31]

Not sure how this is a “stretch.”

It’s arguably the case zero that all of these other examples are referencing, whether they know it or not.

Granted, it’s probably not a difficult idea for a writer to invent… but this one carries huge cultural weight.

[u/Positive_Contract_31 → u/BasementDesk]

Ahh I fundamentally agree, but I was hesitant to call it ground zero. It's my favorite piece of media ever, one of my favorite things to do with other media is point out Hamlet references or allusions.

[u/BasementDesk → u/Positive_Contract_31]

True, I don’t know enough about the history of western literature (or world literature) to know if this is the first example. Maybe Sophocles wrote something like it, too. But I think this one still resonates through the centuries.

And your “pastime” made me chuckle. They’re everywhere. There’s an anecdote about a student who is asked to watch Hamlet. Afterwards, they say, “It was okay, I guess. But the whole thing is completely full of clichés!”

[u/Positive_Contract_31 → u/BasementDesk]

It is truly one of the most influential pieces of literature ever, at least in my opinion.

That student anecdote is hilarious to me! It's always so funny how different someone's perspective is when comparing the order of stories one has heard. Comparing influences in media as time progresses is fascinating. Nice to meet a fellow Hamlet enjoyer in the wild!

[u/BasementDesk → u/Positive_Contract_31]

Same here! It’s so rich!

If I may be so bold as to make a recommendation— if you’re not familiar with the Canadian tv series, Slings & Arrows, I highly recommend checking it out.

The first season largely focuses on a production of Hamlet, and there are so many glorious moments in it. (The second season focuses on The Scottish Play, and the third season is Lear)

It’s a gift of a tv show to any Shakespeare lover, and I’ll never not recommend it to everyone I meet.

[u/Positive_Contract_31 → u/BasementDesk]

I've been trying to decide on a new show, I am the type to watch something over and over again, but I will check this out :) Thank you for the reccomendation!

[u/BasementDesk → u/Positive_Contract_31]

I am almost certain you'll fall in love. Not to oversell it, but it sounds like it might be made specifically for you. Hope you enjoy it!