Shakespeare and Virtual Reality

This Element considers the intersection between Shakespearean drama and the exciting new medium of virtual reality. It discusses the key advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality, especially as it pertains to Shakespeare, and explores what Shakespeare can do for VR (rather than vice versa).

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Teaching Shakespeare through performance has a long history, and active methods of teaching and learning are a logical complement to the teaching of performance. Virtual reality ought to be the logical extension of such active learning, providing an unrivalled immersive experience of performance that overcomes historical and geographical boundaries. But what are the key advantages and disadvantages of virtual reality, especially as it pertains to Shakespeare? And more interestingly, what can Shakespeare do for VR (rather than vice versa)? This Element, the first on its topic, explores the ways that virtual reality can be used in the classroom and the ways that it might radically change how students experience and think about Shakespeare in performance.