In this compelling audiobook, David Sterling Brown examines the concept of racially white ‘others’ in Shakespeare’s characters, such as Richard III, Hamlet, and Tamora. These figures, who are never quite ‘white enough,’ serve to perpetuate anti-Blackness and reinforce white supremacy. Through his analysis, Brown offers a thorough deconstruction of whiteness in Shakespeare’s plays, arguing that the ‘white other’ was a racialized category already forming during the Elizabethan era, shaped significantly by Shakespeare himself.

This audiobook delves into Shakespeare’s critical role in identity politics, drawing on Brown’s personal experiences to highlight how his works functioned as engines of white identity formation while also revealing the illusion of white racial solidarity. As you listen, you’ll gain an essential understanding of the intersections between Shakespeare studies, critical whiteness studies, and critical race studies, making this an important contribution to ongoing discussions about dramatized racial profiling.