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‘Some rare noteworthy object in thy travel’

23 Sep ’13

Shakespeare’s Italy and Early Modern Travel Writing

This paper considers Shakespeare’s presentation of Italy in the light of printed travel accounts – whether historical or fictional, whether celebrating or denouncing travel – made by English writers in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. Analysing Shakespeare’s changing portrayal of travellers from his early to his late works and also his complex account of Italy as a place of paradox, it discusses not only Shakespeare’s interest in the educational purposes of travel (especially travel to Padua), but also Shakespeare’s handling of travel as an extension of or substitute for book-learning. By addressing the related activities of travel, reading, and literary production, this paper argues that Italy, for Shakespeare and many of his contemporaries, was as much a text (or even intertext) to be read, imitated, and excerpted, as it was a place to visit and absorb at first-hand.

Othello: A Case of a Split Personality
Adapted by Roberto Cavosi
Translated by Loredana Ottomano
Performed by Marco Gambino

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