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Interprets Cymbeline as allegory for rule of King James I and his constitutional politics. Notes how Cymbeline strikes balance between paying homage to James I’s self-conception as the “New Augustus” while critiquing contemporary reliance on “Roman conceptions of magistracy.” English summary, 67.
Interprets “problematic scene” of Antony and Cleopatra 5.2 where Cleopatra in preparation for her death refers to bite from the “worm.” Detects pun in frequent repetition of Anglo-Saxon “worm” to refer to Egyptian asp, noting that “worm” in French is “ver” offering this as evidence that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was involved in writing this play. English summary, 42.
Explores how two recent adaptations of Shakespeare’s Roman plays in Iran, There Will Be Blood (2019, based on Titus Andronicus) and Coriolanus (2019 and 2020), adapt Shakespeare's texts for contemporary Iran. Argues that Shakespeare's Roman plays offer opportunity for Iranian theatre directors to address contemporary political issues in Iran, "a country in which it is extremely difficult to produce a political play." English summary, 124.
Investigates “mythopoetic” element of Ninagawa’s adaptation of Antony and Cleopatra (q.v.) with an emphasis on "middle-aged" love affair. Ninagawa’s productions negotiation of Shakespeare's classical sources. English summary, 113.
Explores representation of Rome in Titus Andronicus from intertextual perspective, noting connections with Virgil’s Aeneid, Homer’s Odyssey, and Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Argues that "vision of Rome” is "an aesthetically crafted fantasy." English summary, 93.
Studies how Coriolanus “develops into a becoming subject through transcendental acts of negation and affirmation”, applying existential semiotics of Eero Tarasti. Describes how Coriolanus's mother, Volumnia, shapes his attitude towards Rome and his embrace of death. English summary, 17.
Considers relative responsibility of Antony or Cleopatra for loss at Battle of Actium in play. Considers critical attitudes towards relative guilt of characters, then proposes that Antony exonerates Cleopatra for his defeat. Focuses question through examination of Cleopatra’s interaction with her servants, facet previously ignored by critics. English summary, 1.
Offers evidence for audience size for early modern theatrical productions. Uses evidence of average audience size to interrogate idea that Shakespeare’s plays in performance were particularly popular relative to those of his contemporaries. English summary, 82.
Discusses Anne Tyler’s Vinegar Girl (2016), adaptation of Taming of the Shrew, which features of Katherina as resistant to patriarchy. Discusses book’s marketing in mainline China, where it was promoted as highly feminist text, oversimplifying text’s complex explorations of gender. English summary, 68.
Responds to relative critical neglect of Thomas Wyatt’s poetry, arguing that too much attention is given to Shakespeare’s contribution to English sonnet tradition at the expense of Wyatt’s contribution. Argues Wyatt deserves to emerge from Shakespeare's shadow and have his poetic legacy considered in its own right. English summary, 56.