U.S. Ambassador gives lecture on "Hamlet, Diplomacy, and Political Interpretations of Shakespeare" to AUK Shakespeare class

U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller visited the American University of Kuwait (AUK) on April 11th, 2013, to give a special lecture entitled, "Hamlet, Diplomacy, and Political Interpretations of Shakespeare" to an upper level English class at AUK. Students of the class gathered with other interested faculty, staff, and students to bring the attendance to 70 people.

The class (English 307) is taught by Assistant Professor of English James Lambert, and focuses on the works of William Shakespeare, covering multiple sonnets, comedies, and tragedies. Professor Lambert described himself and his two Shakespeare classes as feeling, "honored that the ambassador has chosen to speak to us about the importance of literature in international diplomacy."

The lecture and Q&A session was held in the Liberal Arts building on AUK's campus from 3:30 to 4:45pm. Ambassador Tueller began by discussing the choices of various central characters in the novel - Hamlet and Claudius among them - and how these choices can serve as examples of difficult decisions one must make as a leader. In the discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of the various choices made in Hamlet, Ambassador Tueller likened this weighing of pros and cons to international decision - making in today's world, and asked the audience to consider the idea that Hamlet, a book written hundreds of years ago, is still very relevant in today's complicated world.

The Q&A session was an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff in attendance to ask Ambassador Tueller a variety of questions related to literature in general, Shakespeare, Hamlet, and international diplomacy in the modern world. The students were clearly excited about this opportunity: hands shot up around the room, and questions on many topics were asked, including one about Ambassador Tueller's experience playing the role of Hamlet on the stage! One particularly inspired student asked what would be a good book to get someone (her brother) excited about reading; she wanted him to be able to take the same joy in books that she does. The Ambassador suggested Ender's Game, by American author Orson Scott Card, as a particularly compelling novel that might teach a love of reading to a young man.

Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 24th April 2013