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Shakespeare & Beyond

Shakespeare & Beyond

The Shakespeare & Beyond blog features a wide range of Shakespeare-related topics: the early modern period in which he lived, the ways his plays have been interpreted and staged over the past four centuries, the enduring power of his characters and language, and more.

Taylor Swift and Shakespeare
Two images side by side to form a single banner image: at left, Taylor Swift on stage playing a guitar, and at right, a period illustration from about the 19th century of Shakespeare lying down outdoors beside a tree, with his head lifted on one arm as he gazes thoughtfully at the ground
Shakespeare and Beyond

Taylor Swift and Shakespeare

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Author
Stephanie Burt

“Lend me your ears”: Harvard English professor Stephanie Burt explores the songs and songwriting of Shakespeare and Taylor Swift.

Apollo 11 and other scientific wonders
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the Moon, photographed by Neil Armstrong.
Shakespeare and Beyond

Apollo 11 and other scientific wonders

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Shakespeare & Beyond

Mark the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission with a look at a fascinating Apollo 11 flight plan sheet that traveled to the Moon.

A Midsummer milestone for Tina Packer and Shakespeare & Company
Shakespeare and Beyond

A Midsummer milestone for Tina Packer and Shakespeare & Company

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Shakespeare & Beyond

Revisit Shakespeare & Company’s 1978 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with this excerpt from Katharine Goodland’s book on Shakespeare productions directed by Tina Packer.

Summer Reading: Beach Reads
Hawaii beach scene, with the beach in foreground with a few people, a boat, and tree trunks; the water; and beyond the water, a cityscape in background
Shakespeare and Beyond

Summer Reading: Beach Reads

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emma poltrack

It’s the heart of summer—and the perfect time to explore some recommended beach reads from the annals of our Folger Book Club!

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in July
Shakespeare and Beyond

What's onstage at Shakespeare theaters in July

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Author
Ben Lauer

See what the Folger’s theater partners have onstage in July. What are you planning to see this month?

Quiz: Shakespeare and travel
Elizabeth in her coach, accompanied by horsemen, other attendants on foot, and even a dog, going along a road toward their destination
Shakespeare and Beyond

Quiz: Shakespeare and travel

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Shakespeare & Beyond

In this busy travel time, try out our “Travel and Shakespeare” quiz about journeys in his plays and in real life, too.

Celebrating a spectacular Fourth with Folger exhibitions
Shakespeare and Beyond

Celebrating a spectacular Fourth with Folger exhibitions

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Shakespeare & Beyond

On display: A letter from Abigail Adams and other extraordinary American items help celebrate the Fourth of July.

Michael Witmore on serving as director and the renovation
Shakespeare and Beyond

Michael Witmore on serving as director and the renovation

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Shakespeare & Beyond

Michael Witmore talks about his experiences as Folger director and the recent Folger grand reopening.

“Speak what terrible language you will”: Shakespeare and TikTok
Shakespeare and Beyond

“Speak what terrible language you will”: Shakespeare and TikTok

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Author
Austin Tichenor

Austin Tichenor on whether TikTok, like Shakespeare, is adding new words and phrases.

Order It: "Sermons in stones" from As You Like It
Text of the
Shakespeare and Beyond

Order It: "Sermons in stones" from As You Like It

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Shakespeare & Beyond

Shakespeare’s phrase “sermons in stones” is from a speech in As You Like It. Take this quiz to see if you can correctly order the lines.

14 Shakespeare Quotes About New Beginnings
Shakespeare and Beyond

14 Shakespeare Quotes About New Beginnings

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Ben Lauer

As the Folger prepares to reopen, we turn to Shakespeare’s plays for quotations about new beginnings and fresh starts.

New Ideas for Summer Reading
Hand-colored illustration of a hand and flower in midair above a landscape, based on page 116 of Minerua Britanna by Henry Peacham, 1612. Folger Shakespeare Library.
Shakespeare and Beyond

New Ideas for Summer Reading

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Shakespeare & Beyond

Explore great Shakespeare-related ideas for summer reading from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s online book club, blogs, and podcast.

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