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BBC Plans New Versions of Shakespeare's History Plays

Posted: 02 May 2012 07:51 AM PDT

The BBC is broadcasting new versions of four of Shakespeare's plays over the summer: Richard II, Henry IV, parts 1 and 2, and Henry V. These versions will feature some of the best (and biggest) names in UK acting, from Jeremy Irons to Patrick Stewart. Mr. Irons will be featured as Henry IV and Mr. Stewart as John of Gaunt. Other big names involved in the productions are John Hurt, David Suchet, and Michelle Dockery.

Said Pippa Harris of Neal Street Productions, which is producing the films, "There are so many themes in these four plays which seem fitting to be showcased in this particular year – themes about monarchy, England and politics."

More here from The Guardian.

More On Thucydides, Law, and History

Posted: 02 May 2012 07:36 AM PDT

Darien Shanske, University of California, Hastings College of the Law, has published Thucydides and Law: A Response to Leiter. Here is the abstract.

Thucydides is the author of the most harrowing account of societal breakdown in antiquity. Brian Leiter has recently made the provocative claim that Thucydides's analysis of such breakdowns indicates that morality is of little import in guiding behavior, including legal behavior. Yet Thucydides also narrates events, particularly in Athens, which indicate that something resembling morality can continue to guide action, including legal action, even at the worst of times. Thucydides provides tantalizing clues as to why he narrates events that only sometimes follow the path predicted by Leiter. In particular, Thucydides (accurately) portrays the law that suffuses Athenian life and saves Athens itself as, for the most part, informal and infused with moral concerns. Leiter's reading of Thucydides is therefore not only limited, but misses implicit arguments that challenge Leiter's larger realist project.

Download the paper from SSRN at the link.