Roundtable: Shakespeare’s Death and Afterlife II

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

The second part of a roundtable marking the fourth centenary of Shakespeare’s death will focus on the role of an anniversary in prompting assessments of various kinds. Panelists will explore the impact of this enduring literary legacy on contemporary culture, the current state of Shakespeare studies, and its value for the humanities and human knowledge. How do scholars use this anniversary to advance public outreach and bridge gaps between scholarly agendas and public interest? Topics to be addressed include Shakespeare and science, with a suggested shift in a question from how did Shakespeare use his knowledge of science to how did Shakespeare's plays make knowledge; current debates on Shakespeare, religion, and secularization; political economy and cultural studies; and new approaches to studying Shakespeare’s language.

Sub Unit

• Discipline Representative / English Literature

Organizers

• Kathleen A. Lynch, Folger Institute

• Richard C. McCoy, CUNY, Queens College and The Graduate Center

Chair

• Kathleen A. Lynch, Folger Institute

Discussants

• Katherine Eggert, University of Colorado Boulder

• Donald Hedrick, Kansas State University

• Douglas Lanier, University of New Hampshire

• Lynne Magnusson, University of Toronto

• Arthur F. Marotti, Wayne State University