Shakespeare and Phenomenology

This book considers how Shakespeares theatre investigates and reveals Being-in-the-world. Through the lens of phenomenology, the study of how the world shows itself to conscious experience, Johnston examines how Shakespeares texts and dramaturgy reveal aspects of Being. This volume explores philosophical themes in Shakespeares drama, including perceptions of stage space and fictional place, temporality, bodies, authenticity, and memory in early modern English staging. It examines how Shakespeare asks the question of the meaning of Being by playing with the distinction between what is and what is not. The work offers practical performance tips and exercises to connect with modern audiences. Each chapter aims to inspire creative artists in production and rehearsal through a unique focus and provide a critical approach to performance. Through a phenomenological exploration of dramatic possibilities drawn from the key concepts of philosophers such as Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Maurice-Merleau-Ponty, and Hubert Dreyfus, Johnston investigates theatre as a practical form of philosophical investigation. Not only must theatre-makers consider the fictional world of the play, but also the historical context of Shakespeares world and the contemporary context for connecting with audiences here, today, now.