In depth exploration of the cultural and political significance of Shakespeare's plays in different historical periods, as well as their evolution and influence in American history. The focus is on the New Historicism critical method, emphasizing the interactive relationship between literature, power, and culture. At the same time, two major trends in Shakespeare studies in the 21st century were analyzed: historicism and futurism, as well as their mutual influence. Professor James Shapiro's book "Shakespeare in a Divided America" reveals the interaction between Shakespeare's plays and core American political concepts, as well as Shakespeare's crucial role in American cultural and intellectual history, through rich historical materials. Shapiro's research not only expanded the dimensions of Shakespearean studies, but also re examined the profound impact of American historical events and reflected on Shakespeare's role in the evolution of American values.

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The book "Shakespeare in a Divided America" explores the origins and evolution of important political and cultural concepts such as intermarriage, innate mission, class division, assassination conspiracies, immigration crises, marital difficulties, infidelity and coming out, and left-right divide by analyzing the reading, adaptation, and criticism of Shakespeare's works in eight key years of American history. The book adopts a rigorous attitude reminiscent of court archives and a superb critical reading method, seeking meaning from historical details and revealing the characteristics of American history. These eight "decisive moments" include: the formation of the concept of intermarriage in 1833, the manifestation of a natural sense of mission in 1845, the social contradictions of class division and wealth gap in 1849, the assassination of Lincoln in 1865, the change in immigration policy in 1916, the dilemma of women between family and career in 1948, the social attitudes towards extramarital and same-sex relationships in 1998, and the left-right divide in political stance in 2017. Professor Shapiro deeply analyzed core issues such as class, race, and gender in American history through these eight historical nodes, traced the core ideological differences of American national identity, and demonstrated the divisive situation of American society. This work is not only a study of Shakespeare, but also a history of American politics, social culture, and thought.

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Professor Shapiro's new book explores important issues in American history through Shakespeare's plays, viewing Shakespeare's plays as a warning of prejudice in cultural contexts. The book observes the debates in Shakespeare's plays over eight historical years, examines the turning points in American history, and understands the connotation and evolution of national identity. The research materials are extensive, including diaries, biographies, etc., establishing connections between materials and exploring historical trajectories. History is not only the background, but also the research object itself, which mutually supports Shakespeare's dramatic texts. For example, analyzing President Adams' evaluation of Shakespeare's play and citing multiple historical sources to enhance its authenticity. In the Lincoln assassination, voices supporting the assassin were recorded, presenting a diverse perspective. The work emphasizes specific historical contexts, reveals the process of literary and cultural production, and provides explanations for adaptation. Using Bourdieu's "cultural capital" theory, analyze the adaptation and acceptance of Shakespeare's plays in the United States. The adaptation of 'The Taming of the Shrew' reflects the dilemma of female social roles, while the creative process of the movie 'Shakespeare's Love Story' is influenced by capital and personal values. But there are also shortcomings, such as simplifying the connection between colonial behavior and Shakespeare's adaptation, and ignoring the important turning points of race and gender issues in the 1960s.

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Deeply explored the complex relationship between literature and history, emphasizing the importance of incorporating historical factors in literary research. Theoretical schools such as post structuralism, new historicism, and cultural studies have challenged the traditional understanding of the relationship between literature and history. Post structuralism holds that history is no longer a linear process, but a diverse and plural form of 'history'. Cultural studies scholars analyze literature in the context of social production and consumption, focusing on the complex conditions that literary and cultural production is subject to. New historicist criticism emphasizes the intertextual interpretation of texts and historical materials, as well as the perspective of texts in the ideological intersection of cultural power. Professor Shapiro's new work on Shakespeare follows this research approach, presenting a variety of materials comprehensively, analyzing their interrelationships, discovering the underlying conceptual disputes, and successfully explaining the important issue of "what is America (sex)". Professor Shapiro's goal is to provide a new perspective on American history, clarify how the United States has become its current state, and understand the factors that divide and hinder it from becoming a country. His research fully demonstrates that the core issues in reading, performing, and studying Shakespeare's plays are closely related to Americanism, shaping America's national identity and identity.