Nelson Mandela and Julius Caesar? The Signatures of the "Robben Island Shakespeare"

Friday 8 February 2013 12 noon-1pm UMC 415-17

It may only be a tattered old copy of Shakespeare's Complete Works, but the "Robben Island Shakespeare" bears the signatures of many of the most famous and significant political prisoners of apartheid-era South Africa—including Nelson Mandela.

David Schalkwyk, director of research at the Folger Shakespeare Library and Professor of English at the Univesity of Cape Town, will talk about the copy of The Complete Works of Shakespeare that circulated among 34 political prisoners (including Nelson Mandela) on Robben Island, the notorious apartheid prison. Each man signed his name next to his favorite Shakespearean passage. Dr Schalkwyk will discuss the significance of their choices.

All are welcome. Free coffee, tea and cookies will be available.

This event is sponsored by the Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies. It is part of CU's 2013 "Spring Into Shakespeare" initiative.