Serial Shakespeare

Shakespeare is everywhere in contemporary media culture.This book explores the reasons for this dissemination and reassemblage. Ranging widely over American TV drama, it discusses the use of citations inWestworld andThe Wire, demonstrating how they tap into but also transform Shakespeares preferred themes and concerns. It then examines the presentation of female presidents in shows such asCommander in ChiefandHouse of Cards, revealing how they are modelled on figures of female sovereignty from his plays. Finally, it analyses the specifically Shakespearean dramaturgy ofDeadwood andThe Americans. Ultimately, the book brings into focus the way serial TV drama appropriates Shakespeare in order to give voice to the unfinished business of the American cultural imaginary.

Elisabeth Bronfen is Professor of English and American Studies at the University of Zurich and Global Distinguished Professor at New York University

Introduction: appropriation, dislocation, and crossmapping1 Shakespeares spectres:Westworld2 Wearing the crown:The Wire3 Choosing our queen: a series of first female presidents fromCommander in Chief toHouse of Cards4 Rogue queens:Veep,Homeland, andScandal5 All the frontiers a stage:Deadwood6 Carnival of spies:The AmericansBibliographyIndex