CFP: Shakespeare and Islam (journal issue)

Scholars have long associated Shakespeare with the wider world beyond early modern England's shores, notably Europe of course and, in the wake of New Historicism, the Americas. One of the most interesting recent developments in early modern studies, however, has been the recognition that writers looked towards the East as well as westwards, to the Islamic world, and the Ottoman Empire in particular.

The Routledge journal Shakespeare is devoting its 4.1 (Spring 2008) issue to the special topic 'Shakespeare and Islam'. Contributions are invited that address any aspect of the possible conjunctions between Shakespeare (understood here to mean the texts, study of, place of, etc.) and Islam (similarly open to broad interpretation). Essays may also include consideration of other early modern writers/texts/contexts, as long as Shakespeare remains the primary focus of the discussion.

Please send enquiries and abstracts (200-300 words) by email to Mark Hutchings (University of Reading), Guest Editor, Shakespeare by 1 December 2006; completed essay drafts (5,000-7,000 words) to be submitted by 1 February 2007.

For information about past and forthcoming issues of this journal go to http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/17450918.asp

Mark Hutchings (m.p.v.hutchings@reading.ac.uk)