Shakespeare and Early Modern Emotion

An International and Interdisciplinary Conference

29 June – 1 July 2011
The Andrew Marvell Centre, The University of Hull

This conference will explore the performance and representation of emotion in the work of Shakespeare and his contemporaries. In the last decade, scholars have been increasingly interested in the cultural history of emotions, arguing that they should be regarded as ‘social phenomena’ rather than inward experiences. At the same time, we have seen a resurgence of interest in the ethical and philosophical aspects of literary texts, and a return to thinking about ideas of ‘human nature’.

How did Shakespeare and his contemporaries respond to and/or shape early modern conceptions of emotion? How do early modern plays and poems speak to current debates about emotion, culture, and what it is to be human? Do early modern texts suggest that emotions are bound up with language and culture, or can we make a case for emotions as a transhistorical or even ‘universal’ category?

Confirmed keynote speakers are:
Prof. Neil Rhodes (St Andrews)
Dr Andy Mousley (De Montfort)
Dr John Lee (Bristol)

The deadline for submission of papers has now closed. For further information please contact Dr Richard Meek r.meek@hull.ac.uk


Supported by The Society for Renaissance Studies