Florida’s censorship of Shakespeare has sparked controversy and concerns about the impact on students’ education and cultural understanding. Governor Ron DeSantis’s decision to restrict the presentation of Shakespeare’s works to Florida students has been deemed an intellectual and cultural crime by critics. They argue that Shakespeare’s timeless works capture the essence of the human condition, with its celebrations, appreciation, and lamentations. Removing the full range of themes and elements from his plays would be a disservice to students.
Some educators and English teachers, like Jean Gilroy from Pleasantville, NY, highlight the educational value of teaching Shakespeare’s full works, including the bawdy sexual innuendo and humor. Gilroy emphasizes that her 13 and 14-year-old students are neither shocked nor offended by the language and themes found in Shakespeare’s plays, as they encounter much more explicit content on platforms like TikTok.
Others, such as Cathy Bernard, a retired associate professor of English, argue that teaching only excerpts of Shakespeare’s plays is a disservice to students. She believes that students should have the opportunity to savor the language and appreciate the bawdiness that is central to understanding Shakespeare’s genius.
Comparisons have also been drawn to the historical bowdlerization of Shakespeare’s works, referencing Thomas Bowdler’s expurgated edition called The Family Shakespeare. This act of purging offensive content has been criticized for stripping the plays of their vitality. In contrast, limiting Florida students to only excerpts robs them of a full understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s works.
The concerns over Florida’s censorship of Shakespeare go beyond educational standards to broader issues of intellectual freedom and autonomy. Critics argue that Governor DeSantis’s initiatives are indicative of a broader trend of autocratic decision-making. Robert E. Lehrer from Chicago coins the term DeSanitization to describe these broad initiatives that restrict access to literary works and curtail cultural expression.
While the debate over censorship in Florida continues, it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving academic freedom and maintaining an open and inclusive education system. Shakespeare’s works have stood the test of time for their exploration of the human condition, and it is crucial to provide students with the opportunity to engage with his works in their entirety. By censoring his plays, we risk diminishing the profound impact that Shakespeare’s words have had on generations of readers and theater-goers.
