Read about how helicopters disrupt theater-goers in New York City’s Central Park.
Category Archives: Absolute Power
The Time Shakespeare Caused a Riot in New York City
Can you imagine a riot breaking out in response to a disagreement about which actor did a better job in the role of Macbeth? That’s what happened in 1849 in New York. Click to learn more.
Why Shakespeare’s Stories Still Resonate
In this podcast, two Shakespeare scholars dig into why we still care about the characters and situations crafted by an Englishman who lived four centuries ago.
How to read Shakespeare for pleasure
Read small sections. Think like a director. Click this link for these and other tips on how to get the most out of your reading of Shakespeare’s plays.
No, Shakespeare isn’t being ‘canceled,’ says this teacher accused of doing it
In this piece, a high school teacher explains her approach to teaching Shakespeare and rejects claims that she is taking part in “cancel culture.”
When was greatness thrust upon William Shakespeare?
This article examines Shakespeare’s rise to greatness. It also features some interesting graphics that show trends in the popularity of his plays.
The Infectious Pestilence Did Reign
This piece examines several ways Shakespeare was affected by the plague. It also points out how the plague plays an crucial role in the plot of Romeo and Juliet.
What Shakespeare can — and can’t — teach us about Covid-19
What does Shakespeare have to do with the coronavirus pandemic? Read this article to find out.
First Collection of Shakespeare’s Plays Sells for Almost $10 Million
Click this link to read about the record-breaking auction sale of a copy of the “First Folio,” the book that originally collected Shakespeare’s plays.
Shakespeare Wrote His Best Works During a Plague
This article suggests that the shutdown of theaters due to the coronavirus could give dramatists the time and inspiration to write new plays.
‘Out damned spot’: the Lady Macbeth hand-washing scene that became a Coronavirus meme
How can you tell the works of Shakespeare are timeless? They have a way of showing up in the popular culture of every era, sometimes in surprising ways.
Kent State Shootings: A Timeline of the Tragedy
Students protesting the Vietnam War at Kent State in 1970 were met with violence from the National Guard. Parallels can be made between what happened then and what is happening around the U.S. now. Who ultimately has the power in these situations—and should they?
An Interview with Poet Patricia Smith
Patricia Smith harnesses the power of words in her work. In this interview, read about why Smith feels that poetry—especially when spoken aloud—has the power to change not only attitudes but also people’s lives.
Power Makes People Happy
Researchers say that the human need for power is less a desire to control others and more a wish to be free from others’ control.
Shakespeare in lockdown: Did he write King Lear in plague quarantine?
One silver lining of shelter-in-place orders is that they might give rise to creativity. Learn more about a popular idea that sets the bar high.
Shakespeare, Lincoln, and Ambition
Abraham Lincoln once wrote, “I think nothing equals Macbeth.” Learn about how Shakespeare’s dramatic exploration of ambition may have affected how Lincoln acted on his own ambition.
What America Doesn’t Get About Dictatorships
According to the author of this opinion piece, those who enjoy the freedom and prosperity that comes with living in a democracy tend to underestimate the ability of dictators to stay in power.
Is Too Much Ambition Making You Miserable?
The negative effects of Macbeth’s overpowering ambition are obvious, but striving for success at all costs can be detrimental in smaller ways to all of us.
Shakespeare’s Sources for Macbeth
Where did Shakespeare get his ideas? This essay by Amanda Mabillard analyzes the sources and motivations underlying Shakespeare’s writing of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Hurricane Katrina
What contributed to the devastating power of Hurricane Katrina? History® provides text, videos, and links on the formation and impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.