Shakespeare in the world

Thomas Jefferson and Shakespeare
“Shakespeare must be singled out by one who wishes to learn the full powers of the English language,” Thomas Jefferson wrote.
Ungenial geniuses: Shaw on Shakespeare
We revisit an essay about Shakespeare and Shaw from the 1994 Folger exhibition “Roasting the Swan of Avon: Shakespeare’s Redoubtable Enemies and Dubious Friends.”

George Bernard Shaw on Shakespeare
“Saint Joan” may well be the most Shakespearean of Shaw’s major plays in its matter and its style

Cruel to be kind: Irreverently celebrating Shakespeare's birthday
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company writes about how “impertinent” riffs on Shakespeare’s work do much to celebrate his legacy.

Globe-al dominance: The rise in reconstructed Globe theatres
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is the most recognizable early modern playhouse, and the last few years have seen multiple reconstructions.

Presidential Fools: Abraham Lincoln, Shakespeare, and comedy
Austin Tichenor writes about Abraham Lincoln, whose wit combined reflection with self-deprecation, and the role of a Fool in Shakespeare plays.

Bernhardt/Hamlet: Inside a new play about Sarah Bernhardt
A new play by Theresa Rebeck, “Bernhardt/Hamlet,” shows Sarah Bernhardt grappling with one of Shakespeare’s greatest roles: Hamlet.

UNESCO gives 'Shakespeare documents' cultural status on its Memory of the World register
Ninety documents relating to Shakespeare’s life, including six from the Folger collection, have been added to the UNESCO International Memory of the World register.

Seven quotes (and a song) from Shakespeare for New Year’s
A bit of Shakespeare to help you reflect on the past year, plan for the next, or just impress your friends or family with a well-placed quote in a New Year’s Eve toast.

Playing Richard Burbage
Austin Tichenor of the Reduced Shakespeare Company shares what it’s like to play Richard Burbage onstage in Lauren Gunderson’s “The Book of Will.”

Sharing a love of Shakespeare with your family
Families share Shakespeare together in so many ways, such as watching his plays, quoting familiar lines, or throwing a Shakespeare birthday party.

Eclipses in Shakespeare's plays
Here are three of the ways Shakespeare used eclipses in his plays and poems. Did you know? In 1598, England experienced a total solar eclipse.