Shakespeare and the ‘post’ of colonialism

Abstract

After enthusiastically agreeing to review Shakespeare in the 'Post'Colonies, I found myself hesitating before reading it. As a citizen of a 'post'colony (South Africa) and a descendant of colonisers, I have been down dark tunnels of outrage and guilt with regards to my ancestors' actions. This tunneling is ethically necessary, but also draining and disturbing. Shakespeare used to be a haven I escaped to from the horrors of the real world, but in academic settings, my passion for Shakespeare has been problematised to the point where I feel naïve and ignorant for simply loving his plays. This book was sure to show me more ways in which Shakespeare was and is complicit in colonial processes and legacies of manipulation, oppression and violence towards the most vulnerable. I prayed I could write something intelligible ... O, what form of prayer could serve my turn?