Students warned that Shakespeare's Twelfth Night has cross-dressing scenes

[IwantToRetire]

University of Liverpool cautions that the play - which features cross-dressing characters and has been enjoyed by audiences for more than four centuries - contains depictions of gender which are 'significantly different to views held today'.

Historian Jeremy Black, author of England In The Age Of Shakespeare, added:

'As the University of Liverpool so aptly but unintentionally notes, the views of some 'on equality, diversity and inclusivity' are unhelpful to an appreciation of national culture.

'Unfortunately, the 'some' include the English Literature department of that university.

The university said:

'Students need to understand the historical context of the texts. This workshop is an opportunity to explore attitudes to, and beliefs about, sex and gender in the late 16th and early 17th centuries - which are in many ways significantly different to views and beliefs held today.

'This is helpful context for understanding a wide range of literary texts from that time. The workshop note on content lets students know that different views on gender and sexual difference will be explored.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15416797/Students-warned-Shakespeare-Twelfth-Night-cross-dressing-scenes.html

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Aargh, yes. And the Greek plays for the Tragedy paper?

I “did” The Mill on the Floss for O level Eng Lit. I still think it contains one of the most erotic passages in any book I’ve read.

Supposedly but I admit I skimmed them a bit for lack of time, but I do remember going to see Lysistrata (not a tragedy but was interesting and fun). Which is great. It’s the wide context and understanding you were referring to and gives you a much bigger picture background on theatre and literature.

It was hard, and like you say the amount of reading was almost impossible to physically do in waking hours, but you really did learn a lot. I don’t understand how you can really make sense of what Shakespeare was doing if you don’t read and understand a whole play.

I’m aware of sounding a bit “kids today…!” But I’m actually a bit sorry for them too as it was satisfying and fun to just read, make sense of and enjoy things as a discipline instead of having to peer at broken bits of them through narrow woke lenses.

I am not scholar of Shakespeare but isn't there a character in one of his plays called Bottom? (giggle, giggle, giggle 🤭 ) I hope they stamp out that sort of smut too.

I don’t understand how you can study modern English literature without reading at least some of the Bible and Shakespeare. It’s like thinking that JK Rowling invented the boarding school story.

Unfortunately Bottom is straight and cis, if he was LGBTQ++ he’d be feted. Queer theory has no fear of rude bits. However as a PP noted he’s also a furry so he’s probably the subject of many a queer studies paper.

I’d imagine students today aren’t allowed to think about JKR at all…