In the process of composing this blog, one of my main objectives is to take the text of Shakespeare, which to many is still achingly inaccessible as a result of the Elizabethan approach to the English language, and relate how the writer's work has entered into our culture in places one would never expect to find its presence. One need not look any further than the wildly subversive and brilliant animated brainchild of Matt Stone and Trey Parker, "South Park", to see the influence of the Bard at work. One of the most beloved episode in the history of series, titled "Scott Tenorman Must Die" (and in fact was voted as the 2nd best episode of all time by fans, falling just behind a hilarious satire on the massive multiplayer PC game World of Warcraft). The story relates an epic battle of wits the overweight young Eric Cartman has with 9th grader Scott Tenorman after he is fooled into purchasing disposable remnants from Tenorman's lower anatomy. And for rabid fans of all things Shakespeare, we as viewers are also subjected to a hilarious sampling of Shakespeare's infamously gory early play "Titus Andronicus".
How, you say? Well, the escalation in Scott's actions against Cartman on a minimal level echoes Tamora's actions. While having Cartman humiliate himself by buying a plastic bag full of 9th grader pubic hair or having him dance and sing "I'm A Little Piggy" may pale in comparison to the horrors of your daughter having her tongue gouged out and having your own hand sliced off, in the world of South Park, these offenses were equally horrific to young Cartman. There are also some subtle similarities as well: the fact that in a story that seems to be borrowing from the most famous English writer, the most popular British band of today (Radiohead) makes an appearance in a show that is traditionally much more Western in character. It should also be noted that Chef is the other major figure in the Chili Carnival Revenge (which I will explain in detail in the next paragraph), much in the same way the sole African-American character in "Titus", Aaron, is the catalyst in which revenge is able to be taken on the evil Tamora in the end as a result of his confession that is released to save his infant child. Even the name "Tenorman" seems like a deviation of sorts of "Tamora". None of this should come as a surprise to fans of Matt and Trey: the boys have included Dickensian and Kafkaesque references in the series several times in the past, and it would not be a stretch to suggest Shakespeare might be among their many literary allusions as well.
Of course the largest similarity is the ending, which has become a classic moment in South Park history. Cartman hatches a plan to take his revenge on Tenorman at a local chili cookoff, but foolishly informs his friends Stan and Kyle of his plot as well. They inform Tenorman of the upcoming sleight against him, not realizing Cartman had anticipated this. At the cookoff, Scott has a bowl of the chili Cartman prepared for the cookoff, and chuckles as Cartman eats Tenorman's submission for the carnival, which Tenorman has once again included his ever-present pubes in. Cartman confesses hes aware of the secret ingredient, but then turns the tables by revealing the secret ingredient he has submitted in his own chili: Scott's parents. Upon realizing he has devoured his own murdered parents as a result of Cartman's horrible scheming, Scott bawls as Cartman gloats at his victory, seemingly undeterred by the fact that this proves he's a psychotic little douche. The episode clearly has strong similarities with Titus cooking Tamora's children and serving them to her at the conclusion of "Titus Andronicus", thus presenting another moment the Bard likely had a major contribution in creating. For your viewing pleasure, I've included that final scene of the episode in video form below (side note: Matt and Trey, the much adored creators of South Park, at the very least by this fanboy, actually have every episode of South Park free and legal online at www.southparkstudios.com. If you find this amusing go show the boys your support and watch more of it).
Scott Tenorman Must Die
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