The Bard's Speech

Making it Better; Shakespeare and Therapy in Film

Authors

  • Geoffrey M. Ridden Southern Oregon University

Keywords:

Shakespearization, Popular Culture, Disability

Abstract

This paper will argue that Shakespeare has become so prevalent and powerful in popular entertainment as a shorthand to signal high culture that his name and his works can be invoked as therapeutic even in circumstances in which, historically, they did not feature. I will first seek to chart the place and power of the process of Shakespearization. I will then examine the prevalence in popular film of figures with disabilities. Finally, I will consider the particular fictional role that Shakespeare can play as a form of therapy for some of these historical protagonists with disabilities, a role that Shakespeare did not fill in their real lives.

Author Biography

Geoffrey M. Ridden, Southern Oregon University

Geoff Ridden was a member of the faculty at the University of Winchester (formerly King Alfred's College) for over thirty years. He currently lives in Ashland, Oregon, where he teaches at Southern Oregon University and gives occasional classes in connection with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF). He has written extensively on Renaissance literature and drama, and, since 2008, has reviewed the OSF's Shakespeare productions for the online journal Early Modern Literary Studies. He has also acted in a number of Shakespeare plays.

Issue Cover text: B&L, Vol. 8, No. 2, 2013. Image: Two actors in traditional Indian dress perform Macbeth and Lady Macbeth deep in discussion.

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Published

2013-09-01

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 2 (2013): Fall/Winter

Section

Articles