Shakespeare in the world

The fate of Ophelia
The first track on Taylor Swift’s new album, The Life of a Showgirl, is “The Fate of Ophelia.” Refresh your memory about Hamlet’s ingenue and why we can’t stop writing, painting, and singing about her.

Shakespeare in the news
A round-up of stories about Shakespeare in the news this month—a September issue of our own—with discoveries about miniature portraits, Emma Smith’s webinar series, reading recs for kids, and ad parodies from Improvised Shakespeare.

Shakespeare in the News
A round-up of stories about Shakespeare in the news this summer from theater, film, and science.

Shakespeare and James Gunn's Superman
There’s a new Superman with more than a few Shakespearean echoes. Austin Tichenor writes that it’s no surprise given director James Gunn got his start on a B movie adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.

Celebrating a spectacular Fourth with Folger exhibitions
On display: A letter from Abigail Adams and other extraordinary American items help celebrate the Fourth of July.

“Speak what terrible language you will”: Shakespeare and TikTok
Austin Tichenor on whether TikTok, like Shakespeare, is adding new words and phrases.

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

A touch of Shakespeare in new Folger spaces
Explore the new landscape and public spaces of the Folger Shakespeare Library to find touches of Shakespeare and the early modern age in which he lived.

“All I Want For Crispin’s:” Mya Gosling’s Shakespearean Holiday Songbook

“I Want It That Way”: Rosaline & Juliet
“In both ‘Rosaline,’ a charming teen romcom streaming on Hulu, and ‘& Juliet,’ a splashy new musical making its Broadway debut this week, Shakespeare’s tragedy becomes a surprising springboard for music, comedy, and investigations into narrative ownership,” writes Austin Tichenor.

“Worthy service": The Tempest-uousness of The White Lotus
HBO’s Emmy-winning “The White Lotus” transforms Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” into a darkly funny satire of the hospitality industry, writes Austin Tichenor.