Question

How did Shakespeare save the life of an inmate, literally and figuratively

Answer 1

Shakespeare's work contributes to modern prison theatre through companies like Shakespeare Behind Bars, providing inmates with a means to explore personal and societal issues while promoting restorative justice. Historical performances in prisons have shown the therapeutic benefit of theatrical participation, leading to widespread prison theatre programs focused on rehabilitation and social change.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shakespeare did not literally save the life of an inmate, but through his enduring works, he has figuratively given life to those in incarceration. The company Shakespeare Behind Bars, founded in 1995, utilizes Shakespeare's plays to help inmates explore social and personal issues through theatre-making, promoting restorative justice. Shakespeare's themes— love, violence, vengeance, forgiveness, and family—provide a profound connection for prisoners, allowing them to reflect and grow while engaging with the plays.

Historical plays, such as Waiting for Godot performed at San Quentin Prison, have also resonated deeply with inmates. Amidst the mid-20th century, performance groups like Theatre for the Forgotten started to recognize the therapeutic potential of participating in theatre for inmates.

This led to the establishment of prison theatre programs nationwide, with an emphasis on traditional scripts, Boalian forum theatre, and performances devised by the inmates themselves.

The practice of Prison Theatre has since become widespread, with organizations like Rehabilitation through the Arts (RTA) involving theatre practitioners and criminal justice professionals in New York State prisons.

The joint effort aims at social change, community building, and highlighting oppressive conditions. The impact of Shakespeare's work in the realm of prison theatre demonstrates how literature and performance can offer rehabilitation and hope to those who are often marginalized by society.

Answer 2

In a high security prison, Laura Bates taught Shakespeare to the inmates. One of the inmates was named Larry. Larry believed that practicing Shakespeare saved his life literally and figuratively. He states,

"For so many years I had been really self-destructive, on the razor’s edge every day. I’m confident that I would’ve done something drastic and ended up on Death Row. Or I would’ve one day found the courage to take my own life. So literally, he saved my life.”

Figuratively, Shakespeare gave Larry the opportunity to develop new ways of thinking through the plays they did, it gave him a new perspective on life. Proof that Shakespeare saved a life.