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Considers centrality of absurdity and the grotesque to Shakespeare’s tragic vision. Argues that in King Lear and Hamlet, characters desire for meaning is hindered by cruelty, absurdity and decay. Argues that “despite our impossibility to overcome the absurd” Shakespeare’s plays reveal that “our effort to find meaning in this life does not have cease.” English summary, online.

Detects allusions to 1 Henry IV and 2 Henry IV in Cormac McCarthy’s 1985 novel Blood Meridian, drawing parallels between relationship between Falstaff and Prince Hal and relationship between novel’s antagonist Judge Holden and its protagonist, the kid. Analyzes “allusions, references and evocations” to Henry V and King Lear throughout novel. English summary, online.

Considers significance of skull for developing sense of identity in Hamlet, Thomas Middleton’s The Revenger’s Tragedy (1606), and Middleton and Thomas Dekker’s The Bloody Banquet (1609). Analyzes both cultural representations and anatomical approaches to skulls in early modern period, attending to memento mori tradition, danse macabre, charnel houses, and early modern anatomy theatres and studies. Notes that skulls reveal tension between death as great leveler and anonymizer and posthumous continuation of individual identity. English summary, online.   

Explores conceptualization and representation of witchcraft’s body in early modern English literature. Considers witchcraft in relation to idea of deformity, with respect to examples from Richard III and Comedy of Errors. English summary, 815.

Presents critical theater review of Folger Theatre’s 2018 production of William Davenant’s adaptation of Macbeth (q.v.). Discusses history of recent theatrical productions of Restoration adaptations of Shakespeare, and offers history of Davenant’s adaptation and its historical reception.

Argues misuse of "affection" instead of "affectation" in Shakespeare's plays reflects influence of Quintilian’s language in Institutio Oratia; notes particular instanaces of catachesis in Hamlet and Winter’s Tale. A English summary, 383. 

Offers biography of French philosopher Voltaire (1694 – 1778). Discusses Voltaire's complicated attitude towards Shakespeare which mixed aversion and admiration.

Recounts Sam Mendes’ role as director of Shakespeare plays from 1990 to the mid-2010s while also considering reception of plays. Plays considered include Troilus and Cressida (1990), Richard III (1992), Tempest (1993), Othello (1997), Winter’s Tale (2009), As You Like It (2010), Richard III (2011), and King Lear (2014) (all q.v.).

Provides introduction to Shakespeare’s biography to different genres of Shakespeare’s work for casual readers. Includes analysis of key themes in Antony and Cleopatra and argues this play best displays Shakespeare’s theatrical mastery. Illustrated by Rachid Maraï.

Children’s chapter book adaptation of Macbeth in which Beth goes to extreme measures to win best-behaved pupil award. Illustrations by Mark Beech.