From Past to Present: The Relevance of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar

From Past to Present: The Relevance of Julius Caesar

Step into the world of Shakespeare’s timeless political masterpiece, Julius Caesar, in this engaging and thought-provoking two-part lecture series. We will discuss why ancient Rome was such a compelling subject for Shakespeare and how his interest in the personal dynamics of regime change resonate for us today.

We’ll explore questions of leadership, persuasion, jealousy, and ambition through a close examination of key speeches and masterful characterization from the beginnings of the conspiracy to assassinate Caesar to its aftermath in civil war. 

Join us for a captivating journey as we dissect the layers of political intrigue and moral dilemmas woven within Julius Caesar, discovering how its lessons echo through time, providing invaluable insights into contemporary leadership and the essence of power dynamics in our society today.

About the Lecturer

Gail Kern Paster was Director of the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. from 2002 until 2011. Until January 2018, she also served as editor of Shakespeare Quarterly, the leading scholarly journal devoted to Shakespeare. She earned a B.A., magna cum laude, at Smith College and a Ph.D. in English Renaissance Literature at Yale University. From 1974 to 2002, she was a Professor of English at George Washington University. She has won many national fellowships and awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment from the Humanities, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation. She was named to the Queen’s Honours List as a Commander of the British Empire in May 2011.

The author of numerous scholarly articles and three books on Shakespeare and the drama of his time, she also lectures nationally and internationally. Dr. Paster has been a trustee of the Shakespeare Association of America and served as its President in 2003. She was a member of the governing board of the Folger Shakespeare Library and is currently on the board of the Newberry Library in Chicago.