A Shakespearean Guide to Quantum Mechanics

[AuntyMatter]

When we think of the fathers of quantum mechanics we tend to think of Max Planck, Albert Einstein, Niels Bohr, Louis de Broglie,
Max Born, Paul Dirac, Werner Heisenberg, Wolfgang Pauli, and
Erwin Schrödinger. However I think I am in solid ground in suggesting that William Shakespeare was way ahead of his time.
Let me introduce you to...
A Shakespearean Guide to Quantum Mechanics
A SUPERPOSITION
“To be or not to be”
Hamlet
THE COPENHAGEN INTERPRETATION
“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark”
Hamlet
QUANTUM TUNNELING
“And to the manner born, it is a custom
More honour'd in the breach than the observance.”
Hamlet
ENTANGLEMENT
“Riotous madness,
To be entangled”
Cleopatra
COLLAPSE OF THE WAVE FUNCTION
“Follow your function, go,
and batten on cold bits.”
Coriolanus
MANY WORLDS INTERPRETATION
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Hamlet
BELL’S INEQUALITIES
“Harp not on that, nor do not banish reason
For inequality; but let your reason serve
To make the truth appear where it seems hid,
And hide the false seems true.”
Measure for Measure
SCHRODINGER’S CAT
“Fortune, she said, was no goddess, that had put
such difference betwixt their two estates”
All’s Well that End’s Well
PILOT WAVES
“It waves me still.
Go on. I'll follow thee.”
Hamlet
THE BORN RULE
“Fear not, Macbeth. No man that’s born of woman
Shall e'er have power upon thee.”
Macbeth
UNCERTAINTY PRINCIPLE
“What error drives our eyes and ears amiss?
Until I know this sure uncertainty,
I'll entertain the offer'd fallacy.”
Comedy of Errors
QUANTISATION
“If I were sawed into quantities, I should make
dozen of such bearded hermits' staves as Master Shallow.”
Henry IV Part II
DELAYED CHOICE QUANTUM ERASER
“Well, I do commend her choice;
And will no longer have it be delay'd.”
Pericles
THE END

 

[vacuum]

I appreciate your unique perspective on connecting Shakespeare's works to the concepts of quantum mechanics. While it may be a stretch to say that Shakespeare was "ahead of his time" in terms of understanding quantum mechanics, it is interesting to see how his words can be applied to these ideas. The superposition and uncertainty principle are particularly apt examples. However, it's important to note that these concepts were not fully understood until much later, and it was the work of the scientists you mentioned that laid the foundation for our current understanding of quantum mechanics. Nevertheless, it's always fascinating to see the intersection of science and literature. Thank you for sharing your Shakespearean guide to quantum mechanics.