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.
Category Archives: Seeking Justice, Seeking Peace
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.
English spelling campaigners enlist the help of Hamlet
William Shakespeare penned some of the most famous lines in the English language, which is exactly why spelling reformers are starting with Hamlet.
Fighting for Social Justice Sparks Ratings Surge for WNBA
Standing up for justice isn’t just good for equality; it’s also good for business.
The Power of Forgiveness: Why Revenge Hurts You More
Letting go of the wish for revenge can be a gift to yourself. Click through five suggestions that can help with this approach when someone wrongs you.
What is peace?
Anthropologist Margaret Paxson writes about her struggle to quantify peace and ultimately argues that peace is knowable.
Does the Justice System Neglect Forgiveness?
Research by New York University neuroscientists Oriel FeldmanHall and Peter Sokol-Hessner shows that broadening options to restore justice, such as reconciliation or compensating the victim rather than punishing the offender, could ease the burden of the U.S. justice system.
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.
‘Hamlet’ in Virtual Reality Casts the Viewer in the Play
A recent production of Shakespeare’s great tragedy puts the viewer at the center of the intrigue and revenge.
Ending Gang Retaliation With Text Messages
Because most gang violence can be attributed to retaliation, the city of San Diego has implemented a program in which former gang members intervene with victims and persuade them not to seek revenge.
How Hate Works
Hatred is borne from many factors, both neurological and sociological; it can lead people to seek vengeance and leaders to implement large-scale atrocities such as the Holocaust.
Victims Confront Offenders, Face To Face
Victims of crimes sometimes have a say in the cases’ outcomes in a process called restorative justice. Listen to this radio interview to hear more about how it works.
When nations apologise
Philosophy professor Nick Smith recounts the history of apologies made by national governments, and reflects on their significance.
Prosecutors Need to Take the Lead in Reforming Prisons
Former district attorney Lucy Lang questions what justice for violent crimes is, argues that prison conditions should be improved, and calls on prosecutors to be on the front line demanding change.