Pianeta Ofelia. Fare Shakespeare nell'Antropocene

This volume proposes an innovative engagement with Shakespeare's works, advocating for their reinterpretation in the context of the current environmental crisis. The volume suggests that Shakespeare's enduring relevance and adaptability, central to his artistic success, allow for a contemporary reading of his oeuvre through the lens of our present climatic regime. In an era characterized by climate change denial, widespread indifference, and burgeoning eco-anxiety, an alliance between scientific and humanistic knowledge is crucial. Shakespeare emerges as a profound guide for inhabitants of the Anthropocene. Hamlet, for instance, illuminates the psychological origins of both ecophobia and ecophilia, discernible in Hamlet's revulsion towards "things rank and gross in nature" and Ophelia's profound connection to the symbolic language of flowers. These elements offer deep insights into humanity's intrinsic relationship with the natural world. Furthermore, Shakespeare's plays provide frameworks for addressing contemporary environmental concerns: The Tempest prompts reflection on our oceanic environmental imaginary; King Lear facilitates an exploration of intergenerational shifts in governance and lifestyles, and the conflicts arising therefrom; The Merchant of Venice and Othello illuminate the essential nexus between environment, ecology, urban spaces, and community. Shakespeare's extraordinary body of work possesses the transformative power to inspire visions of a different future.