Anti-Racist Shakespeare

Anti-Racist Shakespeare emphasizes the use of Shakespeare to cultivate an anti-racist pedagogy, exposing students to the unequal structures of power and domination in society, culture, and classrooms. It empowers students to challenge and overturn these paradigms and take action.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 75 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Shakespeare serves as a fertile ground for cultivating an anti-racist pedagogy, according to Anti-Racist Shakespeare. Our research provides the theoretical underpinnings for educators to acquire a critical grasp of the long-lasting process of racial formation, enabling them to implement anti-racist pedagogical approaches and interventions in their classrooms. This Element promotes teaching Shakespeare through the lens of race and anti-racism, aiming to expose students to the unequal power structures and domination that are perpetuated systematically in society, culture, academic disciplines, and classrooms. We argue that this approach to teaching Shakespeare and race empowers students to not only recognize these paradigms but also to actively challenge and dismantle them. Additionally, this title is accessible as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Shakespeare's plays offer a rich and complex terrain for exploring issues of race and anti-racism. By examining the characters, themes, and language used in Shakespeare's works, educators can gain a deeper understanding of the historical and cultural contexts in which they were written. This understanding can then be used to develop critical thinking skills and promote empathy and understanding among students.

One of the key ways in which Shakespeare can be used to promote anti-racist pedagogy is by examining the representation of race and ethnicity in his plays. Shakespeare's characters are often portrayed as complex and multifaceted, with a range of racial and ethnic backgrounds. This allows students to see that race and ethnicity are not binary or monolithic, but rather are complex and multifaceted. By exploring the different ways in which race and ethnicity are represented in Shakespeare's plays, students can develop a more nuanced understanding of the issues surrounding race and discrimination.

Another way in which Shakespeare can be used to promote anti-racist pedagogy is by examining the themes of race and discrimination in his plays. Shakespeare's plays often explore themes of power, privilege, and prejudice, which are still relevant today. By analyzing these themes, students can develop a critical understanding of the ways in which race and discrimination operate in society and learn how to challenge and dismantle them.

In addition to examining the representation of race and ethnicity in Shakespeare's plays, educators can also use Shakespeare's language and rhetoric to promote anti-racist pedagogy. Shakespeare's use of language and rhetoric is often complex and nuanced, with a range of literary devices and techniques used to convey meaning and explore ideas. By analyzing these devices and techniques, students can develop a critical understanding of the ways in which language and rhetoric can be used to promote or perpetuate racial and discriminatory beliefs.

Finally, educators can use Shakespeare's plays to promote anti-racist pedagogy by engaging students in active and collaborative learning experiences. Shakespeare's plays are often rich in metaphor and symbolism, which can be used to promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By engaging students in discussions and debates about the themes and issues presented in Shakespeare's plays, educators.

ISBN-13: 9781009001328