After Hamlet. What a piece of work is a man
Presentation of students’ creative works
29 April 2024
After engaging with Shakespearean scholars and theatre practitioners in a series of thought-provoking encounters, MA English Literature students were invited to work in groups to creatively engage with Hamlet in ways that resonate with the complexities and anxieties of the contemporary world. The project, anchored in Hamlet’s soliloquy (2.2.295–308), challenged participants to reinterpret his words through the lens of today's global uncertainties, where the looming presence of war and insecurity continues to test our shared notions of identity, justice, and resilience.
Participants were encouraged to:
- reimagine Hamlet’s character through the lens of modern voices or marginalised perspectives;
- recontextualise the setting to reflect current social, political or cultural landscapes;
- navigate the emotional spectrum, from fear and defiance to hope and solidarity.
They were asked to choose any expressive format (poem, monologue, short play, interview, visual piece, or hybrid form) to bring their vision to life.
They could choose any expressive medium, such as poetry, monologue, short play, interview, visual artwork or hybrid forms, to bring their interpretations to life. Through these creative responses, Shakespeare’s language transcended literature to become a platform for dialogue, empathy, and empowerment.
