SHAKESPEARE BEYOND THE WEST: NON-WESTERN ADAPTATIONS AND CULTURAL OWNERSHIP

Abstract

This research explores the phenomenon of non-Western adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays, focusing on how such adaptations negotiate cultural ownership and redefine Shakespeare’s position within global cultural heritage. Through qualitative analysis, including textual and performance analysis and interviews with theatre practitioners, the study examines adaptations from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Findings reveal that non-Western artists do not merely reproduce Shakespearean texts but creatively transform them, infusing local narratives, aesthetics, and political commentaries. These adaptations serve as acts of cultural agency, challenging Eurocentric cultural dominance and expanding notions of authorship and authenticity. The study contributes to broader debates in intercultural performance studies and postcolonial theory by highlighting how Shakespeare has become a global cultural resource rather than a solely Western possession.