Publication Date
2025
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Music & Performing Arts
Department
Theatre and Dance, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Jim Al-Shamma, Ph.D.
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Trump in Shakespeare's Histories
Although Shakespeare intended his history plays to placate the British royalty, they are now being used, in some instances, to point out the flaws in Donald Trump’s character and the shortcomings of his presidency. Freedom of speech in modern day America allows artists to challenge their leaders in a way that was not allowed in the 16th century. In the Elizabethan Era, authors of history plays created dramatized versions of historical figures who opposed the Tudor line in order to accentuate their wrongdoings. Many modern-day productions of these history plays use these immoral characters to highlight similar faults in our current United States president. Recent productions, including those of Richard III, Julius Caesar, and King John, have used Shakespeare’s work to speak out against political injustice. These modern performances demonstrate the continued relevance of Shakespeare’s history plays.
Recommended Citation
Davidson, Kat, "Trump in Shakespeare's Histories" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 626.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/626
