Marchese argues that William Shakespeare “was actually the world’s first hip-hop mogul” (22). Using this line as a starting point, explore Shakespeare’s relationship to rap and hip-hop culture. How do the lines from Romeo and Juliet parallel the rhythm of rap and hip-hop? What about the use of artistic dissing?

Cooper tells Roddy, “In 2018, People consider Shakespeare the greatest writer of all time” (66). How does Korman subvert Shakespeare’s reputation as the greatest artist of his age? How does this book depict Shakespeare to symbolize idolatry? Can an artist be great if some of their art is plagiarized?

The year before Cooper and his class performed Romeo and Juliet, the seventh grade staged Macbeth. Before that, the seventh grade put on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Read one of these other plays and connect it to Whatshisface. How is Roddy like Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream? How is Cooper (or Roddy) similar to the eponymous Macbeth?