Unmasking Shakespeare’s Muse Through Oscar Wilde with Adam Kitzes

This is a 4-meeting virtual class using the Zoom platform.

Wednesdays, April 8, 15, 22, 29, 6-7:30 pm Central time.

About this class: This class explores Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the mysterious identity of Mr. W.H. through the lens of Oscar Wilde’s story The Portrait of Mr. W.H.. Wilde’s tale follows a man who believes he has uncovered the true identity of Shakespeare’s enigmatic addressee and commissions a portrait to “prove” his theory. The painting, though an obvious forgery, raises the question: can art reveal a deeper truth than an authentic document? Wilde worked on this story for years, until his own life became entangled with it during his infamous trial for “acts of gross indecency.” Together, we’ll examine how the mystery of Mr. W.H. intersects with Wilde’s moral character, the power of storytelling, and the enduring intrigue of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.

Skills Acquired: Interpretation of Meaning, Critical Thinking, Historical Awareness, Perspective Taking, Idea Evaluation, Inductive Reasoning, Originality

Please note: This class will be held live on Zoom during the dates and time listed above. If you can’t attend a session or if the time doesn’t work for you, a password-protected course page will host video recordings for registered participants to watch at their convenience.

Instructor bio: Adam Kitzes is a Professor of English at the University of North Dakota, specializing in literary history with a particular focus on Shakespeare and his influence on later writers. His work often explores the intersections of literature, culture, and public life, reflecting his strong interest in the role of the humanities in civic discourse. A frequent participant in Humanities North Dakota programs, Kitzes is deeply engaged in bringing the humanities beyond the classroom and into the community. Outside of his academic work, he enjoys running—though he jokingly acknowledges that “former” should now precede “marathoner.”

Sponsored By: