Invention Guides

What references are there to technology (scientists and inventions) in Shakespeares plays?

Are there any references to any inventions of scientists in Shakespeare's plays? if you do know of some can you please quote the line and the play. Thanks a million

Public Comments

1. Well, they use swords a lot, I guess that was an invention. And poison, shoes, hats, all sorts of things.
2. I won't give out line numbers because I'm doing your work for you, but Shakespeare is widely known for anachronisms in his plays (including technology that didn't exist when the play is supposed to be taking place). Concerning costumes, one of the few drawings of a stage performance for any of his plays made during his lifetime from "Titus Andronicus" shows characters in late 16th century garb; "Titus" was a Roman general. He refers to types of swords, such as the rapier, that didn't exist at the time of the play's setting in several plays (see "Hamlet" and "The Merchant of Venice"). Prince Hamlet also refers to the Christian God and Heaven in the play--he was a pagan Prince of Denmark.
3. You might want to consult this book: Shakespeare and Technology. Dramatizing Early Modern Technological Revolutions by Adam Max Cohen, Palgrave, 2006. It should be perfect for your quest:). For quotes, second link could be a good lead.
4. William Shakespeare Life Facts and Timeline Shakespeare invented lots of words that are in common use today. The words "assassination"and "bump" were invented by Shakespeare. If you say "laugh it off" you are also quoting shakespeare. Other inventions included 'puke' and 'bedroom'. http://www.comedy-zone.net/triviazone/people/page3.htm http://www.william-shakespeare.info/william-shakespeare-facts.htm http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/shakespeare032.html ARTICLES http://www.theatrehistory.com/british/shakespeare.html