A study of the famed actor"s barrier-breaking Shakespearean performances Lindsey R. Swindall examines the historical and political context of acclaimed African American actor Paul Robeson"s three portrayals of Shakespeare"s Othello in the United Kingdom and the United States. These performances took place in London in 1930, on Broadway in 1943, and in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1959. All three of the productions, when considered together, provide an intriguing glimpse into Robeson"s artistry as well as his political activism. The Politics of Paul Robeson"s Othello maintains that Robeson"s development into a politically minded artist explicates the broader issue of the role of the African American artist in times of crisis. Robeson (1898-1976) fervently believed that political engagement was an inherent component of the role of the artist in society, and his performances demonstrate this conviction. In the 1930 production, audiences and critics alike confronted the question: Should a...