Marcia Eppich-Harris | Independent Researcher (original) (raw)
Papers by Marcia Eppich-Harris
The North Meridian Review
The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including s... more The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including speeches, biographies, tell-all books, and socio-political criticism. What all these texts cannot do that the theatre can is bring people together to meditate on our political world, regardless of their partisan leanings.
Two members of Marian University\u27s Department of English, Marcia Eppich-Harris, Ph.D., and Dia... more Two members of Marian University\u27s Department of English, Marcia Eppich-Harris, Ph.D., and Diane Prenatt, Ph.D. gave a presentation entitled Bodies in Play: Shakespeare\u27s Depiction of Illness. The presentation explored medicine during Shakespeare\u27s lifetime and looked at the portrayal of illness within his work. The presentation coincided with the National Library of Medicine exhibition, And There\u27s the Humor of it : Shakespeare and the Four Humors, which the Mother Theresa Hackelmeier Memorial Library hosted from October 24, 2017 - December 2, 2017
In her 2006 play, Rabbit, Nina Raine tackles the ambivalence that Millennial women feel toward fe... more In her 2006 play, Rabbit, Nina Raine tackles the ambivalence that Millennial women feel toward feminism, highlighting the entitlement of equality that Millennials both take for granted and do not actually enjoy. This article argues that Raine’s play shows how crucial feminism is for young women like the protagonist, Bella, whose liminal subjectivity threatens to undermine her efforts to self-actualize. Comparing Bella’s relationships with dominant males, her father and her ex-boyfriend Richard, this study shows how Bella’s relationships cause her to alternate between feminism and misogyny, because of the sexist attitudes of the men who have had the greatest influence on her life.
Marcia Eppich-Harris and Nina Raine discuss Raine’s plays, Rabbit, Tribes, and Tiger Country, in ... more Marcia Eppich-Harris and Nina Raine discuss Raine’s plays, Rabbit, Tribes, and Tiger Country, in a phone interview on April 5, 2014. Raine discusses writing, theatre, directing, and feminism, while also noting some of her greatest influences – among them, Tolstoy and Shakespeare.
Reviewed by MARCIA EPPICH-HARRIS hen the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company decided to stage the enti... more Reviewed by MARCIA EPPICH-HARRIS hen the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company decided to stage the entire history cycle, starting in the 2012-2013 season with Richard II and ending in the 2016-2017 season with Richard III, the company never could have predicted the impact the November 2016 U.S. election would have on its productions of the Wars of the Roses plays. Yet, in their recent staging of Henry VI, Part 2, which is a combination of the original Henry VI, Part 2 and Part 3, the company produced a true mirror up to nature, reflecting the political moment of our time. Opening on President Trump's Inauguration Day, the clearly partisan production depicted the rise of populism, the downfall of integrity, and the forecast of terror and murder both within and beyond the bounds of this play. The production proved to be a successful political argument that the world needs Shakespeare now more than ever. Cincy Shakes's production of Part 2 began with a video that explained the story so far, detailing the usurpation of Richard II's throne, the rebellions in Henry IV's reign, the rise of Henry V, and the problems caused by his untimely death and the crowning of his infant son, Henry VI. The video was a smart, engaging introduction to bring audience members who might be unfamiliar with the previous plays up to speed, especially due to Cincy Shakes starting their Part 2 in the middle of 2 Henry VI with the last speech of act 3, scene 1, by the Duke of York, played by Giles Davies. At the opening, as with the previous productions in Cincy Shakes's five-year project, the stage was set with portraits of all the kings in the serial history plays, with the titular king, Henry VI, on the center-stage easel. A curtain behind the paintings displayed a family tree of Edward III. King Henry VI, magnificently played by Darnell Pierre Benjamin, knelt near his portrait as if in prayer throughout York's speech, in which York reveals that he has "seduced a headstrong Kentishman, / John Cade of Ashford, / To make commotion, as full well he can, / Under the title of John Mortimer." The illustration of the populist rebellion led by Jack Cade in the first act made Shakespeare's work a prescient commentary on America's recent political upheaval. In fact, the Cade rebellion was the most memorable portion of the play, for me, as the political parallels between Cade's rebellion and the Trump regime quickly became evident-simultaneously entertaining and terrifying in their similarities. Matthew Lewis Johnson's performance as Cade included Trump's signature hand gestures, New York accent, and reality-star swagger. Even without these nuanced additions, the thrust of Cade's populist rhetoric so fully W
Brief paper that discusses Falstaff's many near-death experiences and how these experienc... more Brief paper that discusses Falstaff's many near-death experiences and how these experiences give audiences a false sense of security that Shakespeare will not kill his most famous comic character. The impact of Falstaff's death is shown through his continuing influence in Henry V.
Interdisciplinary Literary Studies, 2015
Hamlet, Art, and Apoptosis: The Shakespearean Artwork of Julie Newdoll marcia eppich-harris abstr... more Hamlet, Art, and Apoptosis: The Shakespearean Artwork of Julie Newdoll marcia eppich-harris abstract Contemporary artist Julie Newdoll's painted series "Shakespeare: The Mirror up to Science" explores the connection between Shakespeare's Hamlet, suicide, and science. Using the thesis supported by the work of Burton R. Pollin that Hamlet's revenge is fueled by his desire to commit suicide, Newdoll shows how the biological process of apoptosis-that is, programmed cell death-can be used as a metaphor for Hamlet's suicide narrative through her paintings.
The North Meridian Review, 2020
The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including s... more The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including speeches, biographies, tell-all books, and socio-political criticism. What all these texts cannot do that the theatre can is bring people together to meditate on our political world, regardless of their partisan leanings.
Selected Papers of the Ohio Valley Shakespeare Conference, 2018
In several of Shakespeare’s early-career plays, he spills a great deal of ink contemplating the i... more In several of Shakespeare’s early-career plays, he spills a great deal
of ink contemplating the idea of monarchy and questions of succession,
legitimacy, and rivalries, which many scholars claim shows Shakespeare's interest in and deliberation about the future of the British monarchy in the latter part of the 16th century. In the Wars of the Roses plays, Warwick throws his support alternately behind the Yorks and the Lancasters,
earning the nickname, “King maker.” In Titus Andronicus, Titus “elects”
Saturninus to be Emperor when his brother, Bassianus, openly
campaigns against him. In Richard II, York's decision to declare himself
neutral all but hands the throne to Bolingbroke. All these individuals
make a strong impact on not only the events in the plays, but also the idea that individuals can make choices that have an impact on the succession. In King John scholarship, however, the role of Hubert has been neglected in this train of individuals who, even implicitly, hand power to Kings.
The North Meridian Review
The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including s... more The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including speeches, biographies, tell-all books, and socio-political criticism. What all these texts cannot do that the theatre can is bring people together to meditate on our political world, regardless of their partisan leanings.
Two members of Marian University\u27s Department of English, Marcia Eppich-Harris, Ph.D., and Dia... more Two members of Marian University\u27s Department of English, Marcia Eppich-Harris, Ph.D., and Diane Prenatt, Ph.D. gave a presentation entitled Bodies in Play: Shakespeare\u27s Depiction of Illness. The presentation explored medicine during Shakespeare\u27s lifetime and looked at the portrayal of illness within his work. The presentation coincided with the National Library of Medicine exhibition, And There\u27s the Humor of it : Shakespeare and the Four Humors, which the Mother Theresa Hackelmeier Memorial Library hosted from October 24, 2017 - December 2, 2017
In her 2006 play, Rabbit, Nina Raine tackles the ambivalence that Millennial women feel toward fe... more In her 2006 play, Rabbit, Nina Raine tackles the ambivalence that Millennial women feel toward feminism, highlighting the entitlement of equality that Millennials both take for granted and do not actually enjoy. This article argues that Raine’s play shows how crucial feminism is for young women like the protagonist, Bella, whose liminal subjectivity threatens to undermine her efforts to self-actualize. Comparing Bella’s relationships with dominant males, her father and her ex-boyfriend Richard, this study shows how Bella’s relationships cause her to alternate between feminism and misogyny, because of the sexist attitudes of the men who have had the greatest influence on her life.
Marcia Eppich-Harris and Nina Raine discuss Raine’s plays, Rabbit, Tribes, and Tiger Country, in ... more Marcia Eppich-Harris and Nina Raine discuss Raine’s plays, Rabbit, Tribes, and Tiger Country, in a phone interview on April 5, 2014. Raine discusses writing, theatre, directing, and feminism, while also noting some of her greatest influences – among them, Tolstoy and Shakespeare.
Reviewed by MARCIA EPPICH-HARRIS hen the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company decided to stage the enti... more Reviewed by MARCIA EPPICH-HARRIS hen the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company decided to stage the entire history cycle, starting in the 2012-2013 season with Richard II and ending in the 2016-2017 season with Richard III, the company never could have predicted the impact the November 2016 U.S. election would have on its productions of the Wars of the Roses plays. Yet, in their recent staging of Henry VI, Part 2, which is a combination of the original Henry VI, Part 2 and Part 3, the company produced a true mirror up to nature, reflecting the political moment of our time. Opening on President Trump's Inauguration Day, the clearly partisan production depicted the rise of populism, the downfall of integrity, and the forecast of terror and murder both within and beyond the bounds of this play. The production proved to be a successful political argument that the world needs Shakespeare now more than ever. Cincy Shakes's production of Part 2 began with a video that explained the story so far, detailing the usurpation of Richard II's throne, the rebellions in Henry IV's reign, the rise of Henry V, and the problems caused by his untimely death and the crowning of his infant son, Henry VI. The video was a smart, engaging introduction to bring audience members who might be unfamiliar with the previous plays up to speed, especially due to Cincy Shakes starting their Part 2 in the middle of 2 Henry VI with the last speech of act 3, scene 1, by the Duke of York, played by Giles Davies. At the opening, as with the previous productions in Cincy Shakes's five-year project, the stage was set with portraits of all the kings in the serial history plays, with the titular king, Henry VI, on the center-stage easel. A curtain behind the paintings displayed a family tree of Edward III. King Henry VI, magnificently played by Darnell Pierre Benjamin, knelt near his portrait as if in prayer throughout York's speech, in which York reveals that he has "seduced a headstrong Kentishman, / John Cade of Ashford, / To make commotion, as full well he can, / Under the title of John Mortimer." The illustration of the populist rebellion led by Jack Cade in the first act made Shakespeare's work a prescient commentary on America's recent political upheaval. In fact, the Cade rebellion was the most memorable portion of the play, for me, as the political parallels between Cade's rebellion and the Trump regime quickly became evident-simultaneously entertaining and terrifying in their similarities. Matthew Lewis Johnson's performance as Cade included Trump's signature hand gestures, New York accent, and reality-star swagger. Even without these nuanced additions, the thrust of Cade's populist rhetoric so fully W
Brief paper that discusses Falstaff's many near-death experiences and how these experienc... more Brief paper that discusses Falstaff's many near-death experiences and how these experiences give audiences a false sense of security that Shakespeare will not kill his most famous comic character. The impact of Falstaff's death is shown through his continuing influence in Henry V.
Interdisciplinary Literary Studies, 2015
Hamlet, Art, and Apoptosis: The Shakespearean Artwork of Julie Newdoll marcia eppich-harris abstr... more Hamlet, Art, and Apoptosis: The Shakespearean Artwork of Julie Newdoll marcia eppich-harris abstract Contemporary artist Julie Newdoll's painted series "Shakespeare: The Mirror up to Science" explores the connection between Shakespeare's Hamlet, suicide, and science. Using the thesis supported by the work of Burton R. Pollin that Hamlet's revenge is fueled by his desire to commit suicide, Newdoll shows how the biological process of apoptosis-that is, programmed cell death-can be used as a metaphor for Hamlet's suicide narrative through her paintings.
The North Meridian Review, 2020
The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including s... more The presidency of Donald Trump has inspired an incredible amount of critical writing, including speeches, biographies, tell-all books, and socio-political criticism. What all these texts cannot do that the theatre can is bring people together to meditate on our political world, regardless of their partisan leanings.
Selected Papers of the Ohio Valley Shakespeare Conference, 2018
In several of Shakespeare’s early-career plays, he spills a great deal of ink contemplating the i... more In several of Shakespeare’s early-career plays, he spills a great deal
of ink contemplating the idea of monarchy and questions of succession,
legitimacy, and rivalries, which many scholars claim shows Shakespeare's interest in and deliberation about the future of the British monarchy in the latter part of the 16th century. In the Wars of the Roses plays, Warwick throws his support alternately behind the Yorks and the Lancasters,
earning the nickname, “King maker.” In Titus Andronicus, Titus “elects”
Saturninus to be Emperor when his brother, Bassianus, openly
campaigns against him. In Richard II, York's decision to declare himself
neutral all but hands the throne to Bolingbroke. All these individuals
make a strong impact on not only the events in the plays, but also the idea that individuals can make choices that have an impact on the succession. In King John scholarship, however, the role of Hubert has been neglected in this train of individuals who, even implicitly, hand power to Kings.
Scarlet Leaf Review, 2020
The year is 1754. Reverend Francis Gastrell bought and tore down the house that William Shakespea... more The year is 1754. Reverend Francis Gastrell bought and tore down the house that William Shakespeare lived and died in — New Place. Now, he wants to own the bones of the Bard himself.
Adelaid Literary Magazine, 2020
A medical student’s studies take her outside her comfort zone and into the theatre.
Furtive Dalliance, 2018
After his grandmother's death, Rob has to sell off her estate piece by piece, and the most affect... more After his grandmother's death, Rob has to sell off her estate piece by piece, and the most affecting object is her dinner table that he sells to a modern, harried family — a family that is in stark contrast to his own.
The Bookends Review, 2018
"Squared" comments on the irony that people can’t see -- both in foodie culture and in themselves.
Mused the Bella Online Literary Review Magazine, 2017
"Scavengers" is a story about the search for love -- in more ways in one.
Such an Ugly Time by Rat's Ass Review, 2017
Inspired by Ginsberg's "America" and national politics, "Cravings" discusses diversity in America.
Down in the Dirt Magazine, 2017
In 'Carpool,' a well-meaning mother is caught within racial tensions caused by her autistic son, ... more In 'Carpool,' a well-meaning mother is caught within racial tensions caused by her autistic son, who does not understand how his words are interpreted by others.
So It Goes, 2016
Set in 1960 Indianapolis, ten-year-old Conrad imagines that life is perfect for his rich friend, ... more Set in 1960 Indianapolis, ten-year-old Conrad imagines that life is perfect for his rich friend, Karl's family, but Karl's perfect family is, in fact, a train wreck waiting to happen.
Across the Margin, 2016
"Play Ball" examines the allegorical relationship between infidelity and baseball and what happen... more "Play Ball" examines the allegorical relationship between infidelity and baseball and what happens when specters of the past rear their cruel heads.
Spelk, 2016
Two strangers meet on a train and both want to be saved from their own lives. Unfortunately, the ... more Two strangers meet on a train and both want to be saved from their own lives. Unfortunately, the time of miracles has passed.
The Avenue, 2016
You wake up with a new body, new face, and new life, courtesy of a man named Marlowe. You and Mar... more You wake up with a new body, new face, and new life, courtesy of a man named Marlowe. You and Marlowe live a utopic life until you start to ask questions.
Johnny America, 2016
Short Story: A married couple fight over who will communicate with their neighbors, who don't spe... more Short Story: A married couple fight over who will communicate with their neighbors, who don't speak English.
Early Modern Culture, 2019
Review of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Troilus and Cressida, November 10, 2018
Early Modern Culture, 2019
Review of the RSC Macbeth. May 16, 2018. Discusses both the live performance and the filmed versi... more Review of the RSC Macbeth. May 16, 2018. Discusses both the live performance and the filmed version.
Early Modern Culture, 2018
Review of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra, May 13, 2017
Early Modern Culture, 2017
Review of Cincinnati Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 2, February 4, 2017.