Translating and Teaching Shakespeare: The Art of Interpretation

We invite you to hear three leading Shakespeare scholars on translating and teaching his work to new readers. What does it mean to translate and teach Shakespeare more than four centuries after his plays were written? Taking a recent Portuguese translation of Hamlet as a starting point, this conversation explores the challenges, choices, and creative possibilities involved in bringing Shakespeare's language to new readers, students, and audiences. From the intricacies of wordplay and poetic rhythm to the psychological complexity of his characters, we will consider the delicate balance between fidelity and reinvention, as well as the challenges of making Shakespeare accessible and engaging in the classroom without sacrificing the richness and complexity of his work. Ultimately, we will reflect on why Shakespeare continues to invite new translations, and new approaches to teaching, and why his works remain as compelling today as ever. About Speakers Daniel Ramalho holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Philosophy from NOVA University Lisbon. His research has focused on the philosophy of mind and epistemology, particularly at the intersection of computational neuroscience and artificial intelligence. A translator for over twenty years and a teacher by vocation, he has specialised in teaching English as a foreign language and English literature. He currently serves as the director of an international school. Maria Sequeira Mendes is currently an assistant professor at the University of Lisbon. She is working on her fourth book, on Shakespeare's fawners and knee-benders, parasites and sycophants. Miguel Ramalhete Gomes is Professor at the University of Lisbon. He has written Texts Waiting for History: William Shakespeare Re-Imagined by Heiner Müller (Rodopi, 2014), and has published on Shakespeare, presentism, and on utopian and dystopian comics. He is currently working on a book about the uses of Shakespeare during the years of austerity in Portugal. The Venue Good Company Books is an independent English Bookstore in Lisbon. Born from our love of global literature and our Portuguese heritage, we are crafting a space for people of all backgrounds to gather and enjoy the best books, events, coffee, and wine. Find out more on our Instagram. How To Find Us By Metro: We're situated a 5-minute walk from the Campo Pequeno metro (Yellow line) and a 10-minute walk from the Alameda metro (Green & Red lines). By Bus: There are many convenient bus options 2 blocks away from us on Avenida República, with the closest stop to our store being Campo Pequeno-Av. Republica. By Bike: If you're using the Gira public bicycles, there is a docking station right across the street (#431 - Rua do Arco Cego / Av. Magalhães Lima). By Car: There is a paid parking lot across the street, between Rua Arco do Cego and Rua Dona Filipa de Vilhena. Street parking is also available around the neighborhood.