Shakespeare in American Politics

Synopsis: Three-part radio documentary series, narrated by Sam Waterston, made to mark the 75th anniversary, in 2007, of the Folger Shakespeare Library. The series explores the influence of Shakespeare on American civic, political and cultural life. SHAKESPEARE IN AMERICAN POLITICS looks at how Shakespeare has been used for political purposes throughout American history. It explores how Shakespeare’s works have been linked with American electoral politics, geopolitics and racial, class and academic politics.
Series: Shakespeare in American Life
Language: English
Country: United States
Medium: Radio
Transmission details: Apr 2007 (Channel: NPR)
Duration: 60 mins
Availability: No archive copy known (2007).

Production type: Documentary/Educational/News
Keywords: politics; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616); United States of America

Notes: The programme can be downloaded from the Folger Library website (accessed 11/2008)

A book Shakespeare in American life compiled and edited by Virginia Mason Vaughan and Alden T. Vaughan ( Seattle : University of Washington Press, 2007) accompanies the programme.
General: The series was broadcast on 211 public radio stations across the country and is complemented by a comprehensive website which features educational activities (including lesson plans for K-12 teachers) drawn from the radio programmes, a major exhibition of Shakespeare in American Life at the Folger, scholarly essays compiled in the exhibition catalogue, and an academic conference on the history of Shakespeare in American education.

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British Universities Film & Video Council