Event: Disability as Both a Source of Marginalization and a Tool for Agency in the Work of William Shakespeare
Date: Monday, February 24, 2025
Time: Noon–1 p.m. CST
Location: Zoom
This program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition “’And there’s the humor of it!’ Shakespeare and the Four Humors,” created by the National Library of Medicine and on display at McGoogan Library (Level 6) through March 15. An online exhibition is also available.
Historically disability is ignored or absent in literature, art, culture, and media. While limited, representation of disability has been critiqued for perpetuating both inaccurate and demeaning stereotypes, leading to prejudice and discrimination against the disability community. William Shakespeare’s works often reflect the complex attitudes toward disability present in early Modern England. While not explicitly defined by Shakespeare, his works explore disability through a variety of characters and themes, reflecting both the prejudices and attitudes toward disabled people during this time.
During this program, Davi Kallman, PhD will review the two most prominent and modern models of disability (medical and social models) and will discuss how Shakespeare’s work has influenced the creation of both these widely accepted models.
Additionally, she will discuss how Shakespeare’s plays contain references to disabilities and non-normative bodies. This includes a review of these common themes addressed by disability and media scholars in William Shakespeare’s work:
- 1) Disability as a Marker of Character
- 2) Empathy and Humanity of Disability
- 3) Social Stigma and Marginalization of Disability
- 4) Disability as a Source of Power or Agency
Lastly, she will reflect on how Shakespeare’s treatment of disability is multifaceted, blending prejudices of his era with moments of insight and empathy toward the disabled community. While his works do not advocate for progressive understanding of disability by modern standards, they offer nuanced portrayals that ask us to reflect on our own understanding of the social and personal implications of non-normative minds and bodies.
About Dr. Davi Kallman
Davi Kallman, PhD is a Mexican, Jewish, Disabled Woman whose intersecting identities amplify her advocacy for traditionally marginalized communities. She is a published author, an award-winning speaker, and a powerful institutional change-maker.
Dr. Davi Kallman is the District Dean of Student Engagement at Pierce College in Lakewood Washington. Kallman also serves as Pierce College’s 504/ADA Coordinator. In this role she works with Pierce College District students, faculty, and staff to ensure that student disability rights are upheld. In her spare time, she serves as an adjunct Professor of Communication at Tacoma Community College (TCC).
She earned her PhD in Health Communication from the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University, following her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). Dr. Kallman leverages her expertise in media literacy and other interventions to dismantle stereotypes in institutional settings, fostering environments that are more inclusive and equitable.
A key part of her journey has been informed by her own experiences as a dyslexic individual. Her work reflects her commitment to ensuring that individuals with disabilities—both visible and “hidden”—receive the support they need to thrive. Dr. Kallman’s experiences inform her vision for a more inclusive and accessible higher education system.