Folger Shakespeare Library

During my tenure in high school, I had a strong passion for theater and I was involved in some high school productions. In the two theater classes I took, we spent a great amount of time reading William Shakespeare. Because of my experiences and interest with Shakespeare’s work, I decided to visit the Folger Shakespeare Library.

The Folger Shakespeare Library is an independent research library that is home to the worlds’ largest collection of William Shakespeare. The library offers student programs, guided tours, exhibits, poetry, plays, and music. One of the goals of the Folger Shakespeare Library is to educate people about the life of William Shakespeare. Thus, the general public has access to a variety of print publications, the library’s journal, Shakespeare Quarterly, and for research questions, one can choose the option “Ask a Librarian” on the website.

I visited the exhibit "Lost at Sea: The Ocean in the English Imagination, 1550-1750.” The exhibition focuses on sea exploration and its cultural connotation from the age of Shakespeare until the 18th century. At the exhibit, one can see everything from detailed maps, notes, charts, and anchors. One of the objects that sparked my interest was a gold ring. Inside the ring was inscribed, “The cruel seas, remember, took him in November.” These rings which are called poesy rings were used as a memorial for those who were lost at sea.

I thought the exhibition was really interesting; it definitely gives one a sense of how dangerous traveling by sea can be. In the 21st century, we often take for granted how quickly and easy one can travel around the world. Thus, it is important to be appreciative of the advanced technology and transportation we now have because during Shakespeare’s time, traveling involved poor maps, unpredictable weather, and diseases such as scurvy.

-OI