The Newman University History Speaker Series will present Shakespeare scholar Bente Videbaek, Ph.D. at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10 in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center on campus. The topic of Videbaek’s speech will be, “Reflections on Kingship: Elizabeth’s and James I’s Rule Contemplated in Revenge and Domestic Tragedy.”
The speech will examine how the many social, religious, and demographic changes between the reigns of Henry VIII and James I were reflected in drama, particularly in the tragedies of Shakespeare and his contemporary dramatists. Associate Professor of History Cheryl Golden said the university, “is currently running a course on the History of England and a study abroad program to England this summer, so Dr. Vidabaek’s lecture supports our programming well.”
The theme of revenge in Shakespeare’s work and Videbaek’s lecture also complements this year’s study theme for the Gerber Institute for Catholic Studies at Newman University, “Reconciling Differences.”
Videbaek is a lecturer at State University of New York-Stony Brook. Originally from Denmark, she received her candidata magisterii (equivalent to a master’s degree) in English language and literature and Scandinavian languages and literatures from the University of Copenhagen. After moving to the United States, she earned her doctorate in Early Modern Literature in English from Northwestern University. Videbaek’s publications include a book about Shakespeare’s stage clowns, and most recently she has edited a volume from College Publishing entitled Four Revenge Tragedies: Kyd, Shakespeare, Tourneur, Beaumont and Fletcher.
The Newman University History Speaker Series is hosted each year by the Department of History and Political Science. The event is free and open to the public. No reservations are required to attend. For more information, contact Golden.
