Throughout the novel, references to Shakespeare serve as a symbol of the culture that came before and that has been displaced by the World State. Interestingly, Shakespeare is first alluded to and then directly referenced by World Controller Mustapha Mond, first through a passing mention of “King Lear” (35) and then directly: “There were some things called the pyramids, for example [...] And a man called Shakespeare. You’ve never heard of them of course” (51). In this context, Mond is revealing his status as one of the ten most powerful people on the planet. He is intelligent enough to appreciate Shakespeare, and yet not gullible enough to be corrupted by it.

The other major character to reference Shakespeare is John, the genetically-civilized man raised in the Savage Reservation, where Shakespeare is still available for consumption by the average person. Early on in his time living on the Reservation, Shakespeare’s words, “gave [John] a reason for hating Popé; and they made his hatred more real; they even made Popé himself more real” (132). John, as opposed to Mond, is clearly affected by the poetry of Shakespeare’s language, as he has no desire to blunt or ignore his emotions.