Biblical scholar opens Medieval, Renaissance Studies lecture series Sept. 14

The department of Medieval and Renaissance Studies at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will again host a series of lectures on history and culture this fall. All lectures will be in Bailey Library, Andrews Hall 228, 14th and T streets. The events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule follows. All begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 14 -- "King Lear: Shakespeare's Answer to the Bible's Job," Hannibal Hamlin, associate professor of English, Ohio State University. Hamlin's scholarly interests focus on Renaissance literature and culture, especially Shakespeare, Donne, and Milton, the Bible, metrical psalms, and lyric poetry. He wrote the book, "Psalm Culture and Early Modern English Literature," and his articles and reviews have appeared in Renaissance Quarterly, Spenser Studies, The Sidney Journal, The John Donne Journal, The Yale Review, The Spenser Review and Early Modern Literary Studies. His lecture is co-sponsored by UNL's Department of English and the Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film.

Sept. 30 -- "How Shakespeare Tamed the West," Ian Borden, assistant professor, Johnny Carson School of Theatre and Film, UNL. And, "King James VI and Witchcraft: Convinced Believer or Political Opportunist?" Michael Hewitt, graduate student, department of history, UNL.

Oct. 12 -- "Music and Ceremony in Lorenzo's Florence," Timothy McGee, former director of the Historical Performance Ensembles and professor of music history, University of Toronto. His research areas are performance practices from 900 to 1800 and Canadian music. His books include "Improvisation in the Arts of the Middle Ages and Renaissance," "The Sound of Medieval Song: Vocal Style and Ornamentation According to the Theorists" and "Singing Early Music: The Pronunciation of European Languages in the Late Middle Ages and Renaissance." He is completing a book about the civic musicians of Florence during the late Middle Ages.

Nov. 12 -- "Anxiety and Epistolarity: The Lovers' Letters in Boccaccio's Filostrato, Chaucer's Troilus, and Shakespeare's Troilus and Criseyde." Maura Giles-Watson, graduate student, department of English, UNL. And, "Allegory and Ars Moriendi: Defining the Good Death from Everyman to Dr. Faustus," Katie Sisneros, graduate student, department of English, UNL.