Farah Karim-Cooper on The Great White Bard

<p>Can you love Shakespeare and be an antiracist?</p> <p>Farah Karim-Cooper's new book, <em>The Great White Bard,</em> explores the language of race and difference in Shakespeare's plays. Karim-Cooper also looks at the ways Shakespeare’s work became integral to Britain’s imperial project, and its sense of cultural superiority.</p> <p>But for all this, Karim-Cooper is an unapologetic Shakespeare fan. It's right there in the subtitle of her book: "How to Love Shakespeare While Talking about Race." Far from casting Shakespeare out of the classroom or playhouse, Karim-Cooper shows new ways to appreciate him. And, by drawing connections between the plays and current events, she offers an eyes-wide-open tour of Shakespeare’s continued relevance. Karim-Cooper talks with Barbara Bogaev about the role of race in <em>Titus Andronicus, Othello, Romeo and Juliet,</em> and more.</p> <p>Farah Karim-Cooper is a professor of Shakespeare studies at King’s College, London, and a director of education at Shakespeare’s Globe theater. <em>The Great White Bard</em> is available now from Viking Press.</p> <p>From the Folger’s <em>Shakespeare Unlimited</em> podcast. Published August 15, 2023. © Folger Shakespeare Library. All rights reserved. This episode was produced by Matt Frassica. Garland Scott is the associate producer. It was edited by Gail Kern Paster. Ben Lauer is the web producer. Leo Fernandez edits a transcript of every episode, available at folger.edu. We had technical help from Mark Dezzani in Surrey and Voice Trax West in Studio City, California. Final mixing services provided by Clean Cuts at Three Seas, Inc.</p>