15 Stellar Star Trek Episodes Paying Homage to Shakespeare

Star Trek has drawn inspiration from the literary works of William Shakespeare since it was established in 1966. Numerous episodes have been titled after his works, particularly in Star Trek: The Original Series, which follows the exploits of Captain James T. Kirk and his crew on the USS Enterprise. Shakespearean references are prevalent throughout the various Star Trek iterations, with characters often quoting his works, performing his plays, or making allusions to the Bard's writing.

Both the storylines and episode titles of Star Trek shows and movies have frequently been adapted from Shakespeare's works. As one of the most renowned and enduring writers in the world, it is no surprise that modern minds continue to find inspiration in his plays and poems. Shakespeare himself could not have anticipated that his words would become so intimately connected with one of the most beloved science fiction franchises in history, even over four centuries after his passing. Here, you will find a list of 12 Star Trek episodes that have borrowed titles from Shakespeare's works.

12 Star Trek: The Original Series - "Dagger of the Mind"

As Macbeth devises a plan to assassinate the King of Scotland in the play Macbeth, he contemplates the existence of a dagger in his mind, questioning: "Are you merely an illusionary dagger of the imagination?" While this particular episode of Star Trek: The Original Series does not showcase any imaginary daggers, it does introduce a contraption that thrusts into the minds of patients. On their visit to a Federation penal colony to deliver provisions, Kirk and his crew stumble upon the lead psychiatrist of the facility who has been employing a device called a "neural neutralizer" to subdue and conduct experiments on his patients. Similar to Macbeth, this episode delves into the realm of mental torment and captures the terrifying prospect of losing one's sanity.

11 Star Trek: The Original Series - "The Conscience of the King"

This episode of Star Trek is often considered to be the most reminiscent of Shakespeare's work. Not only is the episode titled after Hamlet, but it also features a Shakespearean acting troupe and a plotline that bears similarities to Shakespeare's plays. The title of the episode is taken from a line in Act 2 of Hamlet, where Hamlet proclaims, "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the king." Hamlet intends to use a theatrical performance to uncover whether his uncle Claudius is guilty of murdering his father. Similarly, in "The Conscience of the King," Captain Kirk embarks on a mission to determine if Anton Karidian, the leader of the visiting acting troupe, is truly the mass murderer known as Kodos the Executioner. Along the way, Kirk becomes entangled in a complex and questionable romance with Lenore Karidian, Anton's unstable daughter who tragically kills her own father. This turbulent and tragic affair adds to the overall Shakespearean atmosphere of the episode.

10 Star Trek: The Original Series - "By Any Other Name"

9 Star Trek: The Original Series - "All Our Yesterdays"

In response to a distress call on an allegedly uninhabited planet, the Enterprise encounters humanoid aliens known as Kelvans, who proceed to capture them with the intention of stealing the Enterprise. Throughout the episode, Kirk discovers that the Kelvans have recently assumed human form and are unaccustomed to the range of emotions and sensations that humans experience. This lack of familiarity allows Kirk to outsmart them. The episode's title, derived from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, references a famous balcony scene in which Juliet utters the phrase, "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Notably, Kirk recites this exact line in the episode, highlighting the Kelvans' transition from being human in name only to embodying human nature, thereby exemplifying the central idea conveyed by the quote.

Derived from a line in Shakespeare's Macbeth, this particular title originates in the play's concluding act, during Macbeth's renowned "Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow" soliloquy. Within this soliloquy, Macbeth reflects: "And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death." Macbeth expresses remorse for his past actions and contemplates the apparent futility of his existence. Meanwhile, "All Our Yesterdays" revolves around individuals from the dying planet Sarpeidon who employ a portal to journey back in time. The choice of this Shakespearean reference emphasizes the Sarpeidons' decision to revisit their purported past experiences.

8 Star Trek: The Next Generation - "Thine Own Self"

7 Star Trek: Voyager - "Mortal Coil"

: The only Star Trek: The Next Generation episode on this list features the android Data (Brent Spiner) prominently. Throughout the series, Data embraces his humanity by showcasing Shakespeare's plays. Season 7's "Thine Own Self" portrays Data in a perplexing situation, stranded in a small village with no recollection of his identity or origin. The title, borrowed from Hamlet, alludes to Polonius, the king's advisor, who imparts a piece of advice: "This above all, to thine own self be true." Interestingly, Polonius fails to act upon his own counsel and frequently utters vacuous platitudes. While this may add complexity to the phrase's meaning in Hamlet, when used as the title of this particular TNG episode, it simply implies that even without his memories, Data continues to exhibit his characteristic behavior.

In a poignant Star Trek: Voyager episode, the ship's Chef Neelix (Ethan Phillips) grapples with his desire to continue living. Having been revived after his death during a mission, Neelix is troubled by the absence of any glimpse of the afterlife. This prompts him to reflect on his beliefs and the purpose of his existence. The episode takes its title from a famous passage in Shakespeare's Hamlet, specifically from the renowned soliloquy "To be, or not to be." In this introspective moment, Hamlet ponders the unknown realm that awaits in death, asking, "For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come, when we have shuffled off this mortal coil?" Similarly, Neelix embarks on a quest to discover a meaningful reason to embrace life in the face of the uncertainty beyond death.

6 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - "Once More Unto the Breach"

The final season of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine predominantly focused on the Federation's conflict with the Dominion. In the episode "Once More Unto the Breach," the aging Klingon warrior Kor (John Colicos) implores Worf (Michael Dorn) to provide him with a ship to lead into battle against the Dominion. Although Kor is denied command of a Starship, he achieves the honorable death of a warrior by sacrificing himself to save Worf and disrupt the enemy's formation. The episode's title holds significant meaning as it alludes to one of the most renowned calls to battle in the English language. These lines originate from Henry V's inspirational speech, commencing with: "Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more; or close the wall up with our English dead."

5 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - "The Dogs of War"

"The Dogs of War," the eighth episode in the nine-part Dominion War arc, tees up multiple storylines for the grand finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Drawing inspiration from Julius Caesar, the title alludes to a speech by Marc Antony. In the aftermath of Caesar's assassination, Antony swears vengeance upon the treacherous senators involved, invoking the image of Caesar's spirit crying out for chaos and unleashing the dogs of war. The impending climax of DS9 will witness the Federation launching their ultimate offensive against the Dominion, making this rallying call for war highly appropriate for the second-to-last episode.

4 Star Trek: Discovery - "Such Sweet Sorrow, Parts 1 & 2"

In the final two episodes of Star Trek: Discovery season 2, Commander Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green) and the USS Discovery crew embark on a journey 930 years into the future. Their mission? To prevent the domination of the artificially intelligent Control. Inspired by lines spoken by Juliet from Romeo and Juliet, the episodes are titled after a poignant moment. As Juliet bids farewell to Romeo, she utters these words: "Parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say good night till it be morrow." In the second part of this thrilling conclusion, Michael bids her brother Spock (Ethan Peck) farewell, and all the characters leave behind their previous lives. These heart-wrenching farewells are likely what the titles allude to.

3 Star Trek: Discovery - "There is a Tide..."

In "There is a Tide..." from season 3 of Star Trek: Discovery, Michael and her crew engage in a fierce battle to regain control of the USS Discovery from Osyraa, the leader of the Emerald Chain syndicate portrayed by Janet Kidder. While Osyraa negotiates with Admiral Vance of the Federation, portrayed by Oded Fehr, Michael takes charge of leading the fight to reclaim the Discovery. The episode's title is derived from a quote by Brutus in Julius Caesar: "There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune." Much like Brutus, Michael seizes the opportunity presented to her in this episode of Discovery. (It is worth noting that Captain Picard also recites this Brutus speech in the series finale of Star Trek: Picard.)

2 Star Trek: Lower Decks - "Where Pleasant Fountains Lie"

1 Star Trek: Strange New Worlds - "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow"

In this episode of Star Trek: Lower Decks Season 2, two distinct storylines unfold. One focuses on Lt. Commander Andy Billups, the Chief Engineer of the USS Cerritos, portrayed by Paul Scheer. The other follows Ensigns Boimler (played by Jack Quaid) and Mariner (played by Tawny Newsome). In an unconventional twist for Star Trek, Engineer Billups finds himself in a risque plotline involving his mother's attempt to pressure him into losing his virginity and claiming his rightful place as king of their people. The episode's title, taken from a bold Shakespeare poem called Venus and Adonis, features the lines: "Graze on my lips, and if those hills be dry, stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie."

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, the latest episode takes its title from a Shakespeare play. The episode, titled "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow," follows Chief of Security La'an Noonien-Singh (played by Christina Chong) as she teams up with an alternate universe Captain James T. Kirk (played by Paul Wesley). Together, they embark on a time-traveling mission to fix the future. The title of the episode is derived from a famous speech delivered by Macbeth in the final act of the play. While Macbeth reflects upon the tragedy and futility of his life, this episode of Strange New Worlds suggests that every life and every decision can have a significant impact. The influence of William Shakespeare's work has been present in Star Trek since its inception and is likely to continue shaping the franchise for years to come.