100: Movie Magic pt.1: Shake that Speare

Apr 9, 2025

This episode hilariously unpacks the enduring love for romcoms, tracing their roots from ancient Greek narratives to Shakespearean influences. The hosts explore classic tropes and share personal anecdotes, revealing the beauty in life's messiness. With charming discussions on iconic films like 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and the evolution of storytelling, they highlight how vulnerability and humor create relatable romance. Expect laughs, nostalgia, and insightful reflections on love's complexities!

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

March Madness Teaching Anecdote

Grant shares a fun story about teaching strategies involving his students and March Madness.
His creative approach builds engagement even with challenging adolescent behaviors.

INSIGHT

Shakespeare's Rom-Com Legacy

Shakespeare set foundational rom-com tropes like mistaken identities and enemies to lovers.
These centuries-old elements keep rom-coms relatable and popular today.

INSIGHT

Greek and Roman Rom-Com Roots

Ancient Greek and Roman playwrights originated many romantic comedy conventions.
Menander influenced Western rom-com tropes like "boy meets girl" that persist today.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Two Gentlemen of Verona

William Shakespeare

Nick Newlin

This work likely offers a contemporary take on Shakespeare's 'Two Gentlemen of Verona', exploring themes of love, friendship, and the complexities of relationships. It may incorporate modern elements while maintaining the core narrative of the original play.

Love's Labour's Lost

William Shakespeare

Love's Labour's Lost follows the King of Navarre and his three companions as they attempt to swear off women for three years to focus on study and fasting. However, their resolve is quickly tested when they encounter the Princess of France and her ladies-in-waiting. The men eventually abandon their vow and pursue the women, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and ultimately, a year-long wait to prove their love. The play explores themes of love, loyalty, and the complexities of relationships.

Cymbeline

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's 'Cymbeline' is a late romance that blends elements of tragedy, comedy, and fantasy. The play features a complex plot involving mistaken identities, disguises, and a quest for revenge. Imogen, the virtuous heroine, is tested by betrayal and adversity. Themes of love, loyalty, and the restoration of order are central. The play's intricate plot and dramatic twists have made it a fascinating and enduring work.

Midsummer Night's Dream

William Shakespeare

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a five-act comedy by William Shakespeare, written around 1595-96. The play intertwines the stories of four young lovers and a group of amateur actors in a forest inhabited by fairies, where love and magic lead to confusion and eventual reconciliation. The play explores themes of love, identity, and the transformative power of imagination.

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth. The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth. The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect. Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption. The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period[3][4][5].

Henry IV, Part 2

null

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's "Henry IV, Part 2" is a historical drama that delves into the complexities of power, ambition, and mortality. The play follows the reign of King Henry IV and the challenges he faces from his rebellious son, Prince Hal, and other political rivals. Shakespeare's masterful use of language, character development, and dramatic irony creates a compelling and enduring work. Themes of legacy, responsibility, and the human condition are explored through the play's intricate plot and memorable characters. "Henry IV, Part 2" remains a significant contribution to English literature and continues to resonate with audiences today.

As You Like It

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' is a pastoral comedy exploring themes of love, disguise, and the complexities of human relationships. The play centers on Rosalind's flight to the Forest of Arden, where she disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Orlando. The play's exploration of love's complexities and the contrast between courtly life and the simplicity of nature make it a timeless classic. 'As You Like It' is a celebration of love's power and the transformative potential of nature.

Twelfth Night

William Shakespeare

Shakespeare's 'Twelfth Night' is a comedy exploring themes of love, mistaken identity, and disguise. The play centers on the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man and falls in love with Orsino, while Sebastian is mistaken for Viola by Olivia. The play's witty dialogue and intricate plot twists create a delightful and engaging experience. 'Twelfth Night' is a celebration of love's complexities and the humorous consequences of mistaken identity.

Hamlet

William Shakespeare

The play revolves around Prince Hamlet's journey to avenge his father's murder, which was committed by his uncle Claudius. Hamlet's father's ghost appears and reveals that he was poisoned by Claudius, who then married Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. Hamlet feigns madness while he investigates and plots his revenge. The play explores themes of betrayal, mortality, and the human condition, culminating in a tragic finale where nearly all main characters die, including Hamlet, Claudius, Gertrude, and several others[1][3][5].

The tempest

William Shakespeare

The Tempest, written around 1610-1611, is one of Shakespeare's last solo works. The play revolves around Prospero, the former Duke of Milan, who was usurped by his brother Antonio and left to die at sea with his infant daughter Miranda. They survive and find refuge on a remote island, where Prospero masters magic and enslaves the native Caliban and the spirit Ariel. When a ship carrying his enemies passes by, Prospero conjures a tempest to bring them ashore. The play explores themes of magic, betrayal, revenge, and forgiveness as Prospero manipulates the shipwrecked characters to rectify past wrongs and ultimately forgives them. The story also includes the romance between Ferdinand, the King of Naples' son, and Miranda, and ends with Prospero's decision to return to Milan and reclaim his dukedom[2][3][5].

Merchant of Venice

William Shakespeare

The play revolves around Antonio, a wealthy merchant of Venice, who takes a loan from the Jewish moneylender Shylock to help his friend Bassanio woo the wealthy heiress Portia. When Antonio's ships are reported lost at sea, he is unable to repay the loan, and Shylock demands his pound of flesh as per the bond. The play culminates in a trial where Portia, disguised as a lawyer, intervenes to save Antonio's life. The play explores themes of debt, mercy, and the complexities of human relationships in 16th-century Venice.

The Taming of the Shrew

William Shakespeare

The play is presented as a play within a play, with an initial 'induction' where a lord tricks a drunken tinker, Christopher Sly, into believing he is a nobleman. The main story revolves around the courtship of Katharina, the shrewish older sister, and Petruchio, who uses various tactics to tame her. Meanwhile, several eligible bachelors vie for the hand of Bianca, Katharina's younger sister. The play culminates in a wager where Petruchio proves Katharina to be the most obedient wife, and she delivers a sermon on wifely obedience[1][4][5].

Much ado about nothing

William Shakespeare

Much Ado About Nothing, by William Shakespeare, is a comedy that explores themes of love, deception, and mistaken identity. The play features a compelling narrative, where two pairs of lovers navigate the complexities of courtship and marriage. Much Ado About Nothing's witty dialogue and clever plot twists have entertained audiences for centuries. The play's use of humor and irony creates a sense of lightheartedness and amusement. Much Ado About Nothing's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless themes and engaging storytelling.

This week, Grant and Maia attempt to answer a big question “why do we love Romcoms so much?”. Our episode takes us through the history of romantic comedies. From the Greeks to ways Shakespeare still influences the stories we tell today. We talk about how romantic comedies are some of our oldest stories and so much more than just “chick flicks”. Finally, we revel in our favorite romcoms and share in our delight of both Bridget Jones Diary and Jane Austen. Are you reading to avoid the news? Us too.

Ever feel like your life is one awkward rom-com away from greatness? In this sprawling, laugh-out-loud episode, Grant and Maia dive into the wonderfully chaotic world of rom-coms—and all the real-life moments that feel just as scripted (but with way worse lighting). From hilarious classroom mishaps and movie theater disasters to quirky family stories and spontaneous philosophical tangents, they explore how love, vulnerability, and a bit of messiness make for the best stories—on screen and off. Along the way, they unpack classic rom-com tropes, trace their roots from Shakespearean drama to Sandra Bullock blockbusters, and get unexpectedly deep about personal growth, emotional risk-taking, and the everyday magic of falling for someone—or something—at the wrong time, in the right way. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic, a film nerd, or just someone who’s cried over a well-placed movie montage, this episode will hit you right in the feels (and probably make you laugh-snort in public).

00:00:00 Catch-Up

00:24:38 Shake that Speare

00:28:51 The Father of the RomCom

00:57:14 Adaptations

01:03:44 Ancient Greece

01:15:29 Modern Romcoms

02:02:27 Do they matter?

02:16:48 Bridget Jones & Final Thoughts

Connect with Us

Love a good laugh? Stay in the loop with the Well, I Laughed Podcast! Hit up wellilaughed.com for all the fun, throw some love our way on Patreon at https://patreon.com/WellILaughedPodcast, and send us your wildest listener stories at wellilaughedpod@gmail.com or at wellilaughed.com/contact —because let’s be real, we know you’ve got some!

Instagram: @wellilaughed

Tiktok: @wellilaughed

Facebook: Well, I Laughed Podcast

YouTube: Well, I laughed