Why everyone says Succession is Shakespearean 

I think this is the best Succession video essay I've ever seen, really hope it goes well

Brilliant quote (from 11:30): "It may feel odd to assert that you can humanize someone whilst also not going easy on them. To humanize is to refuse to demonize, and in many ways, why shouldn't we demonize these super-rich silver-spoon assholes, right? But Jesse Armstrong is far cleverer than I, Succession understands that to dehumanize the rich, because of all the evil things that they do, would be just recycling the same dehumanization that the rich engage in --in order to become capable of doing all of those awful things. To humanize the Roys is therefore revolutionary because to humanize is also to refuse to glorify, and therefore to refuse to go along with the Roy's ideology of themselves as superhuman. It refuses to present them in the way that they would want to be presented. If the characters in Succession were able to watch Succession, they would think it's very bad optics". That is so good, that I wish I had written it.

One of the things I love about Succession is its theatricality. I wasn't surprised to find out that many of the show's writers are playwrights - among them Lucy Prebble, Alice Birch, Susan Soon He Stanton and Lucy Kirkwood (billed as an executive consultant for the first season). This comes through not only through the words, by turns ferocious, original, elegant, witty (I'd say Succession is the TV show most in love with language since Deadwood, which also raised profanity to Shakespearean proportions) but also in the way many episodes are structured like plays: with an ensemble of people who have reason to hate each other gathered in a single location to mark a single event - a hospital room, a wedding, a birthday party, a boardroom coup, a merger discussion, a wake.

I’ve felt that Tom and Greg are the Rosencratz and Guildenstern of the piece. Somewhat clueless guys who think that they are players, but are really just pawns. Queen Gertrude brings R & G to Elsinore to find out what’s going on in Hamlet’s head; Logan cultivates Tom as a mole who can pass on info about what Shiv and her brothers are thinking

concise, amazingly edited, thoughtful, fucking funny and that sweater.... this was brilliant!!

I could be way off-base, but I think in a way Logan’s death does kind of follow Lear’s trajectory, if we consider Waystar to be one of his “children” (the only thing he’s created that he can openly and unreservedly love). He must have understood Matsson’s intentions for Waystar to at least some degree (that he doesn’t plan to keep it intact), so he died on his way to “kill” his favourite child. Absolutely loved this video, can’t wait for the next one!

Great analysis! My two cents is that Succession is definitely geared towards being "high art", and as such occupies an interesting role as it speaks in different levels to us commons and the "elites". As you said, this show does humanize them but it does so in an interesting way, by showing that money controls the Roys' lives more then they actually control and profit by it. The inability to grieve after Logan's death because of their commitment to the company and the market makes a strong point about the privilege of the non ultra-rich who are allowed to simply grieve, be human in one of the most human points of anyone's life. This is not unlike the claim that fighting toxic masculinity isn't just about liberating women but also men who are made to fit this toxic mold at their own expense.

Glad RU-vid recommended this video to me, this was super interesting! I keep trying to get my English major friend to watch Succession by being like "no you don't get it it's like Greek tragedies or something" but now I can make an even more compelling case to her lmaO

Toward the end of your video I was thinking about the legacy of jazz, which is my craft. I feel that a different social class of people used to enjoy jazz and now it’s sort of become music for rich people almost exclusively, and it’s quite bizarre to witness that. Also, I thought one of the only times that Logan acted like a snob was when he yelled at the waiter at Shiv’s wedding, the one that ended up dying in the lake.

how do you not have 200k subscribers? this is amazing you made so many deep connections

Actually one of the most well written video essays I’ve ever had the pleasure to watch!

I loved your essay thanks. I teach English in Italy and Shakespeare is my favorite “thing “to teach because although I am not a great expert I think I am able to transmit a bit of my passion to them …and I love succession because for me it is a modern take on Shakespeare

Just wanted to jump in and say thanks so much for all the lovely comments. I'm trying to reply to as many as possible! It's so encouraging to have this lovely feedback. I have big plans for this channel so do stick around and in the meantime please keep sharing this video with any of your fellow succession fangirlies xx

I’m so happy @kendallroylookingsad posted about your video essay. This is brilliant. As a Literature major and Lit teacher, I’m always noticing parallels, but I never thought it all out with such clarity and such perfect examples from Succession and from Shakespeare! I subscribed. Looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts!

This was a fantastic essay, well done! You really understand Succession and what the show is saying through the lens of its use of Shakespeare. I hope you continue to make more videos!

I don't usually post comments, but the algorithm is s#$t and your content deserves to be seen by much more people. Keep up the good work! Cheers

I was also thinking about Coriolanus, particularly when he’s exiled from the kingdom. He expresses no remorse and, like Logan, becomes the dragon until his hubris ultimately does him in.

This is an amazing video essay on Succession! I can really tell that not only have you put a lot of time into editing and producing this video, but that you also posses exceptional literary analytical skills. I will be sharing this everywhere!

This was the most thorough and well-researched analysis of Succession I've seen on RU-vid. As someone with a bachelor's degree in English, I also like all your references to Shakespeare as well, even though I'm not the kind of person that has three novels and a memoir going at once. I really enjoyed it, thank you!

Wow, was I glad I watched the half an hour video from a small channel! She did an excellent job and when I looked at the number of views and subs, I was blown away there weren't many many many more. Earned a like, sub and thought I'd post to the comments to placate the Algorithm Gods. Looking forward to seeing what comes next.

Kendall didn't kill that waiter. The waiter very clearly grabs the wheel and steers them directly into the lake. Kendall did his best to try to swim down and save him. He's genuinely not responsible. He's just guilty of leaving the scene of an accident.

The amount of new sucession content i've been getting recommended has really been making my day.

Bravo, this is one of the better essays I’ve binged in my succession hyperfixation

Fantastic video! That Brian Cox “Lear Diaries” book moment was particularly satisfying (mic drop worthy)👏

This video will do big numbers

I absolutely love the jargon point. The beginning of 4x05 was refreshing seeing Kendall and Roman actually do some, you know, WORK. But then Shiv immediately poured cold water on it by making fun of them for "reading documents". And then as soon as the plane touches down, they're straight back into the meaningless jargon. As much as Logan Roy was a supposed "straight shooter", he coached his children (and shaped the world) to be bogged down in jargon.

Normally don't watch video essays because I usually find them shallow and obvious, but your video was genuinely insightful and thought-provoking.

Wow! I'm glad I clicked on this video, such a great analysis! Looking foward to hear your thoughts on the rest of this final season! Success on your RU-vid journey ❤

Great analysis! I thoroughly enjoyed watching your analysis of the series "Succession" and couldn't agree more with your comparison to Shakespearean literature. Your insights were impressive and thought-provoking, making it the best analysis I have ever come across. I believe your subscribers are going to skyrocket very soon due to the exceptional quality of your content. Despite the video being 37+ minutes long, I was engaged throughout and found it to be well worth the time invested. Your presentation style and depth of knowledge were truly impressive. I look forward to seeing more of your content in the future, and I have no doubt that your channel will continue to grow as more people discover your exceptional talent for analysis. Keep up the great work!

Literally an absolutely incredible video, one of my favorite succession analysis videos out there. And the editing is simply amazing. Thank you so much for making this.

this video was fascinating! insanely high quality stuff. especially love all the little clips. the editing is excellent.

This is an Incredible video essay, probably the best most enjoyable succession analysis I've seen. Thank you for your amazing work!

This is one of the best Succession analysis videos I've ever watched. Great work and I hope we get another video just as well thought out and well researched once the show ends. This was an absolute delight!

How has this video not gone viral yet?? Great content, fabulous editing 👏👏

this video essay was insane. you did such a good job

Brilliant analysis, you put all of my thoughts about the similarities between Shakespeare and Succession into words and then some. Definitely saving this to send to my friend once I get them to start watching Succession. The use of language in this show is just so fascinating

This might be the most unbelievable Succession analysis I have ever witnessed. Absolutely fucking brilliant on so many levels

I obeyed by liking and subscribing. This is completely phenomenal. I’ve never gotten close to sitting thru an entire commentary like this, until now… no fault of the bright people who make them. But this was so watchable, so compelling. Sometimes I get hung up on the dramatic criticisms of the show, like it’s a sitcom disguised as prestige tv, etc., but you point out the elements that have made me addicted to this show. So great.

This is the best succession video essay I've seen. I find it hard sometimes to dissect the show & Shakespeare so this was pretty perfect.

thrilled at how much actual close engagement with Lear there is in this! I had assumed it would just be widely about tragedy but this is way more interesting to my lit minor heart

best succession video essay i’ve seen !! you’re hilarious and i loved the editing - you’ve clearly done so much research and i can’t wait for more succession deep dives :))

fantastic work. the editing + ability to find the perfect relevant clip/scene is unmatched

commenting for the almighty algorithm. navigating good succession content online is a minefield lol, thank you for this incredible, concise, well-thought out video on the topic. very excited to see your channel grow!

I think I've found one of my new favorite channels thanks to this video. Can't wait till everyone else in the movie analysis community realizes how underrated you are. Love your stuff.

This is amazing! I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of RU-vid video essays, and within the first seven minutes I was whispering "why haven't I seen anything from this lady before?", was subscribed and checking out your other videos. You have won a fan, and, as soon as my financial situation allows it again, a Patron. I bow in respect.

Absolutely the best analysis I have watched of anything. Loved this. The editing is supreme as well. Very VERY good job

As a long time Succession-RU-vid video watcher, this is by far the best one I’ve seen! Your wit, humor, intelligence and eclecticism comes through very genuinely. Congrats on an excellent video

thought i was going crazy about all the references shakespeare & succession have because there was no video essays about it...thank you for fuelling my insanity, you articulate yourself so well & this was so so fun to watch

THE best Succession essay I've seen on RU-vid and I've seen them all. Keep them coming! It doesn't have to be perfect or better than this one, but you gotta get 'em made. You're in an enviable position!

This video is a masterpiece! The editing, the jokes, the analysis, everything is perfect! The pentameter in "but Frank you got the grease to slip them out" got me imediately subscribed haha

Brilliant video essay!! Thank you for articulating all the visceral feelings and enmeshed dynamics intertwined in the writing of this modern masterpiece. Super well done. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

Amazing video, really shows how thoughtful the writers have been at crafting this story. Can’t wait for that future Succession video after it ends.

Wonderful work on this video; i love the editing, the stylised structure of how you present the Shakespearian comparisons. Genuinely hope you continue making this high quality content

This was brilliant!! This is now the ONLY Succession video essay. Can’t wait for your thoughts on the rest of the season.

I can't believe i watched a 37 minute video essay on a show. My love and appreciation for this show and more importantly your fucking engaging style made it feel like water. With all those clips in between and the amazing analitsis of the show it was all amazzinggggg. I would like to reemphasise that the amount of care taken to place the perfect clips in the perfect places is just phenomenal. Amazing.

Wow! I’m only half way through, but this video has been great so far. Extra kudos for including subtitles despite being a small channel - that earned my sub, especially given how accurate they are

This video is a nuanced gem for so many reasons, well done whoever you are, I hope you do more quality content

The editing is incredible and the analysis is unlike anything else I hope u explore other hbo shows, big little lies , got,….

Brilliant! I hope you'll publish more. We'll be watching.

This was fantastic, so glad I found your channel!

Incredible video essay! Thank you. Genuinely informative and comprehensive analysis that puts into words so many of Succession's intricate complexities regarding its relationship with Shakespeare and language, and its link to power. Armstrong is a genius and you've cracked part of the reason why. I particularly loved your humanising/demonising point. Can't wait to see more of your videos on this phenomenal show once it ends.

Fantastic analysis and editing, please do more ❤

Holy shit, this is one of the best analysis video essays I’ve ever seen. Really well structured, super concise, and just plain eye-opening

Brilliant analysis, very cool delivery. Must have taken numerous watchings of each episode but just what fans of Succession need. Can't get enough. Can't stop thinking about it. Congratulations on an insightful gem.

I am so happy the algorithm blessed you. Great video

this is a really well-made video! you're incredibly underrated, i've watched this like 3 times now

HUGE props for including a glimpse of Jonathan Meades!!!! (Along with all your BRILLIANT observations, analysis, wit, and video-making)

obsessed with this. can't wait to hear your thoughts on the final episodes

Easiest like and subscribe I've done on RU-vid. Dunno how i stumbled upon this video essay but it was astonishingly brilliant, punchy, funny, witty and every other superlative stated in the other comments. So impressed by your content and look forward to much more.

The montage of jargon was so delicious... amazing work! I never noticed Greg is parroting Tom in front of Cyd :)

This is an amazing analysis and I hope you continue to make amazing videos like this!!

This is great! Well done! Succession is fun but watching breakdown essays about Succession is where some of the most fun lies.

this was a really great video essay. you are so smart!

12:52 is where this masterpiece hits its intellectual zenith

Never knew how much I wanted this video until now. Amazing work.

I've been waiting years for something to concretely make this analysis. Thank you. Liked and subscribed

You’re long form video essays are brilliant kiddo! Happy to stumble upon your channel. Subbed.

I recently caught up to the latest Succession ep and found your video. The perfect amount of deep analysis + genz talk/references lmao, loved it!

I need more succession analysis from you! Wonderful job!

yoo this is such a great analysis video. Great Job!!!

Great video. Insane production value for such a small channel. Keep it up.

Very impressed by the depth and level of insight in this video! Probably the most satisfying succession video I've seen

this is one of the best video essays i've ever watched!

Thank you! This is the analysis I have been waiting for. Really well done!

Oh my god thank you for this video essay! The jokes are only the cherry on top of this masterful analysis. To be honest I thought you were a much bigger channel at first - I hope you make more of these longer video essays in the future. Keep it up!!

This was so good omg. I love this show and your analysis and discussion was perfect.

Excellent video essay. I wanted to one on this myself, but yours is so good. Don’t think I can top it. I especially love how you highlighted the iambic pentameter - now I’m gonna clap at every syllable in the show and count them 😂 Excellent work, Sub’d.

Thanks! A lot of fun listening to your disquisition.

THIS ESSAY IS SO GOOD!! Absolutely brilliant, no more words necessary

brilliant video! hope there's more from you about succession.

You are one bright bird! You clever bunny I loved it and was inspired by it and I am so glad that you have taken the time to make these videos. I think in times to come you will actually be used in university essays because what you are doing here is totally inspirational stuff

We need more of this!! More of this awesomeness, please

Made me love my favorite show even more, thanks for this!

Great video, thank you. Can tell a lot of work went into it

What an interesting, compelling and intelligent essay, you're really good at this!

I've bookmarked this to watch later but I've subscribed already bc it's clear you've put a lot of thought and work into this video and you deserve to reach 1k and beyond!

im obsessed, amazing video, thank you for making this!! i got king lear last year and haven't had the balls (or energy) to start it yet so this is a huuge help lol

the editing is so on point

If you spend any time on the Succession subreddit, you'll see that the show's popularity is expanding. in the first two seasons I would have placed it more firmly in the category of "high art," requiring close attention and rewatches and discussion to get the most out of it. but as it's gotten more popular there are more and more people who engage with it on a more casual entertainment level and either don't notice or don't care about the complex thematic shit going on. in that way I think it's becoming a LOT like Shakespeare: bawdy entertainment for the masses with a whole lot going on beneath the surface if you have the resources/interest to really dig into it. also this is the best Succession analysis on youtube, consider me subscribed 🫡

Wow, this was an enjoyable watch. Incredible analysis. The best I've seen on Succession, hands down.