Shakespeare in a Divided America Summary

“How did a playwright from 16th century England end up shaping America’s deepest debates on race, gender, and politics?”

1. Shakespeare Reflects Progressive Limits on Race Through Othello

Shakespeare’s works have been a mirror for America’s struggles with race and equality. In the early 19th century, John Quincy Adams, a so-called progressive abolitionist, admired Shakespeare’s genius but was deeply uncomfortable with Othello. The play’s portrayal of an interracial marriage between Othello, a dark-skinned Moor, and Desdemona clashed violently with Adams’ societal views.

Adams once wrote that interracial unions were a “gross outrage upon the law of Nature,” reflecting how even the most forward-thinking individuals of the time could harbor regressive beliefs. This sentiment was echoed by pro-slavery politicians like James Henry Hammond, who invoked Othello to paint a dystopian future where someone like Othello might sit in Congress.

These attitudes revealed a deep divide: while abolitionists sought to end slavery, many couldn’t yet embrace true racial equality, underscoring how far America had to go in realizing its ideals.

Examples

• John Quincy Adams openly expressed disgust at Othello and Desdemona’s romance.
• Hammond weaponized Othello in congressional arguments to defend slavery.
• Calls to abolish slavery frequently clashed with persistent intolerance for interracial relationships.

2. Masculinity and War in Shakespeare’s Narratives

Shakespeare’s plays shed light on perceptions of masculinity in times of conflict, as seen during the U.S.-Mexican War. Manifest Destiny, a term emphasizing America’s right to expand westward, fueled both territorial expansion and gender constructs. According to figures like James K. Polk, masculinity became intertwined with dominance and military might.

The theatrical world also reflected these ideals. In the 1840s, actors like Edwin Forrest embodied hypermasculinity, leading to the sidelining of characters like Romeo, who was considered too effeminate for audiences enthralled by rugged frontier ideals. Yet, Charlotte Cushman, a female actor, proved Romeo’s emotional depth was as compelling as swordplay when she took on the role, earning critical acclaim.

The horrors of the Civil War later shifted public sentiment. Dominating, violent masculinity gave way to an appreciation for softer, introspective qualities, allowing male actors to reclaim parts like Romeo.

Examples

• James K. Polk viewed masculinity as a tool for intimidation in foreign policy.
• Charlotte Cushman’s portrayal of Romeo redefined the role against masculine norms.
• Post-Civil War, society reacted against aggressive masculinity, favoring gentler portrayals.

3. The Astor Place Riot and Shakespeare in Class Conflict

Shakespeare didn’t just shed light on personal identity but also on class divides, as evidenced by New York’s deadly Astor Place Riot of 1849. The feud between British actor William Macready and American Edwin Forrest over methods of performing Hamlet became a flashpoint for rising tensions.

Macready’s highbrow acting style suited elite patrons of Astor Opera House, while Forrest’s rugged performances appealed to the working class. The theater’s dress codes and exclusivity alienated average New Yorkers, turning Macready into a symbol of British aristocracy. When Forrest fans organized protests during Macready’s Macbeth performance, chaos erupted, culminating in over twenty deaths.

Ultimately, the riot illustrated deep class divides and America’s resistance to perceived foreign elitism.

Examples

• William Macready’s interpretation of Hamlet clashed with Edwin Forrest’s.
• Astor Place’s elitist policies excluded working-class attendees.
• The riot claimed over twenty lives and symbolized cultural tensions.

4. Julius Caesar and John Wilkes Booth’s Radicalization

Shakespeare inspired not only introspection for figures like Abraham Lincoln but also radicalization for his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Booth idolized Shakespearean characters, particularly tyrannical ones like Richard III, and portrayed Brutus from Julius Caesar on stage. He identified with the conspirators who viewed Caesar’s death as a necessary act for liberty.

After the Civil War, Booth became increasingly fanatical about defending Southern values. His belief in white supremacy intersected with his love for Shakespeare. In his final dramatic act, Booth reenacted his own version of Julius Caesar’s assassination, shouting “sic semper tyrannis” as he fled Ford’s Theatre.

This tragic relationship between Shakespeare’s text and real-life violence highlighted literature’s power to both inspire and misguide.

Examples

• Booth played Antony in Julius Caesar a year before killing Lincoln.
• “Sic semper tyrannis” from Julius Caesar became Booth’s rallying cry.
• Lincoln used Shakespeare for personal reflection, contrasting Booth’s violent appropriation.

5. The Tempest and America’s Immigration Debate

In the 20th century, Shakespeare’s The Tempest was co-opted to justify racial hierarchies and anti-immigrant policies. Critics argued that Caliban symbolized America’s indigenous people, portrayed as savages needing enlightenment. This view gained traction alongside xenophobic movements aimed at curbing immigration.

Playwright Percy MacKaye’s 1916 adaptation of The Tempest made these themes even more explicit. Framing Prospero as a Shakespearean savior, MacKaye presented Caliban as unredeemable, reinforcing the idea that non-whites and immigrants couldn’t assimilate into American ideals. Public reception intertwined racial superiority with cultural ignorance.

The Tempest thus became a window into America’s historical fear and rejection of “the other."

Examples

• Scholars argued Caliban symbolized America's native people.
• Percy MacKaye’s adaptation highlighted unrepentant savagery in Caliban.
• Anti-immigrant sentiment peaked with limited migration laws of the 1920s.

6. The Taming of the Shrew and Shifts in Gender Roles

In post-World War II America, attitudes were shifting on gender and marriage. However, Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew, with its story of female submission, appeared outdated. Enter Bella Spewack, who reimagined the play into the Broadway hit, Kiss Me, Kate.

Spewack’s adaptation contrasted traditional gender roles onstage with modern, independent relationships backstage. The divided narrative offered commentary on evolving ideas of women’s autonomy while still tiptoeing around societal norms.

Though progressive at the time, the play remains a testament to how theater engages with societal changes in a way that balances convention and rebellion.

Examples

• Bella Spewack disliked Shakespeare’s original story of submission.
• Kiss Me, Kate juxtaposed traditional obedience and modern independence.
• The post-war divorce boom reflected changing relationship expectations.

7. Shakespeare in Love Redefined for Hollywood

Shakespeare’s broader appeal led to the rewriting of his life for modern audiences in the film Shakespeare in Love. The 1998 movie blended fact and fiction, but earlier drafts featured bold ideas like bisexual romance and a more complex female muse.

American audiences, however, demanded sanitization. The kiss between Shakespeare and a male-presenting Viola was removed, and his muse became less sexually independent. Will’s justification of his failed marriage was even added to downplay themes of adultery.

Though successful, the changes reveal America’s discomfort with more daring portrayals of gender and sexuality.

Examples

• Original drafts featured Shakespeare embracing sexual fluidity.
• The final script removed same-sex affection for U.S. audiences.
• Viola was softened to fit heteronormative expectations.

8. Shakespeare’s Politicization in Modern America

In today’s America, Shakespeare continues to reflect political fault lines. The 2017 staging of Julius Caesar with a Trump-like figure drew heavy criticism from conservatives. Though the play emphasized the futility of violence, its imagery of murdering Caesar triggered outrage.

In sharp contrast, a 2012 production featuring Obama-inspired casting provoked no such reaction, indicating newer shifts in partisan reactions to theater. This highlights growing polarization, where Shakespeare can no longer be shared as a universal cultural reference.

Examples

• A 2017 Julius Caesar staged with Trump-like figure caused threats.
• A 2012 production with Obama-like casting saw no backlash.
• Right-wing media framed the play as direct assassination propaganda.

9. Shakespeare Reveals America’s Eternal Debates

Ultimately, the divide over Shakespeare highlights tensions that remain unresolved in American culture. From interracial love in Othello to gender roles in The Taming of the Shrew, his works continue to help Americans wrestle with identity, hierarchy, and equality.

As newer generations and perspectives emerge, Shakespeare’s plays evolve, carrying forward centuries of questions about morality, power, and belonging.

Examples

• Othello repeatedly triggers discussions on race and relationships.
• Julius Caesar frames debates on tyranny and violence.
• The Taming of the Shrew evolves with gender expectations.

Takeaways

1. Explore how Shakespeare’s characters challenge traditional norms by revisiting his plays with a critical eye.
2. Use theater or literature to engage with contemporary moral debates and amplify underrepresented voices.
3. Focus on public discussions that examine—not dismiss—art that provokes differing interpretations.