On May 2, 2024 the Folger’s virtual book club continues with a discussion of The East Indian by Brinda Charry. To prepare for the discussion, we have pulled together a list of resources related to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and America’s early colonization.
READ the Shakespeare play referenced throughout novel
EXPLORE the play’s connection to trade and early globilization
- ‘In the spiced Indian air’: Trading coin and cloth in the empire of the Great Mughal
- Shakespeare’s Asia: Ships, spices, and porcelain
- written by Su Fang Ng, May’s guest speaker
- “More strange than true”: Finding America among the fairies
LISTEN to podcast episodes related to colonial history and impact
We would like to thank the following organization for its generous support of this program
Join us for a future event
Shakespeare Exhibition
Our Shakespeare Exhibition
See the Folger First Folios, learn more about Shakespeare and his plays, and explore the complexities of his cultural legacy.
Ongoing
Printing Press Demonstrations
Printing Press Demonstrations
To learn more about our replica 17th-century printing press and to see it in action, join us for demonstrations during Frost Fair.
Fri, Nov 27 — Sat, Dec 26, 2026
Translating Shakespeare in Sign Language
Translating Shakespeare in Sign Language
Scholar Jill Marie Bradbury delivers a public lecture about how Deaf actors negotiate Shakespeare translation.
Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 4pm
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