How Shakespeare Shaped America: The Untold Story of Race, Identity, and Power

William Shakespeare, often hailed as the Bard of Avon, is known worldwide for his timeless plays and poetic genius. Yet, his influence in America tells a story that intertwines with the nation’s own turbulent history. Shakespeare’s works have served as a lens through which Americans have examined their deepest anxieties and aspirations, especially around race, identity, and power.

In the early 19th century, America was grappling with the contradictions of a new republic that condemned slavery yet harbored racial prejudices. The tragedy of Othello became a cultural flashpoint. John Quincy Adams, a prominent abolitionist and former president, publicly condemned Desdemona’s love for Othello, deeming it unnatural because of racial difference. This harsh stance reflected broader societal fears about interracial relationships and the fragility of racial hierarchies. Meanwhile, Fanny Kemble, a British actress married into a Southern slaveholding family, documented the brutal realities of slavery, particularly the sexual exploitation of enslaved women, adding a stark real-world backdrop to the play’s themes.

As America expanded westward, Shakespeare’s plays traveled with soldiers and settlers. During the Mexican-American War, soldiers built makeshift theaters to perform Shakespeare, with Ulysses S. Grant famously rehearsing as Desdemona. This surprising cross-dressing episode reveals the fluidity of gender roles in military life and the complex personal dimensions behind public figures. Yet, in the slaveholding South, Othello was performed with white actors in blackface, illustrating the selective appropriation of Shakespeare to reinforce racial boundaries.

Shakespeare’s influence also sparked violent conflict, as seen in the Astor Place Riot of 1849, where a feud between two Shakespearean actors erupted into deadly class warfare in New York City. This event underscored how deeply Shakespeare’s plays were entwined with social and cultural identities, becoming proxies for battles over class, nationalism, and cultural authority.

Moving into the 20th century, Shakespeare’s works became metaphors for immigration and assimilation struggles. The public masque 'Caliban by the Yellow Sands' used The Tempest to symbolize tensions between native-born Americans and new immigrants, while literacy tests featuring Shakespearean knowledge served as cultural gatekeeping tools.

In the postwar era, Shakespeare’s comedies influenced American ideas about marriage and gender, with adaptations like 'Kiss Me, Kate' blending Elizabethan themes with contemporary social norms. Radio broadcasts brought Shakespeare into homes, embedding his works into everyday life.

More recently, Shakespeare remains a powerful tool for political commentary. The 2017 Central Park production of Julius Caesar, with a Trump-like Caesar figure, sparked fierce debate, highlighting the continued relevance of Shakespeare’s exploration of power and democracy in a polarized society.

Yet, contemporary productions also face censorship and political pressure, revealing the ongoing tensions between artistic freedom and societal divisions. Despite these challenges, Shakespeare’s legacy endures, with community theaters and diverse audiences continuing to find meaning in his plays, using them as bridges across cultural divides.

Shakespeare’s works have become part of America’s cultural DNA, reflecting its contradictions and aspirations. From fiery debates about race and identity to moments of unity and healing, the Bard’s plays remain a vital force in shaping how Americans understand themselves and their nation.

This exploration reveals that Shakespeare is not just a relic of the past but a living dialogue partner for America’s present and future.