Professor Gao Quanxi
Professor Gao Quanxi's Publications
On the afternoon of December 9, 2024, the School of Business at the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) hosted a lecture titled "How to Read Shakespeare: A Literary Interpretation from a Political and Jurisprudential Perspective." The event was held in Room O905 of the university and featured Professor Gao Quanxi, a distinguished scholar in politics and jurisprudence, and Chair Professor at the KoGuan School of Law at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as the keynote speaker. The lecture aimed to explore the intrinsic connections between Shakespeare's literary works and political thought, and attracted participants from various academic fields such as politics, administration, law, philosophy, literature, and history. Participants included scholars, teachers, and students from Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao Polytechnic University, University of Macau, City University of Macau, and two high school students from Kwong Tai Middle School.
The lecture commenced promptly at 3:00 PM, with a welcoming address by Dr. Abraham Liu, who represents the School of Business at MUST and serves as the host. Dr. Liu highlighted Professor Gao's outstanding academic achievements, particularly his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of politics, law, and literature, with a special focus on his innovative interdisciplinary research. Furthermore, Dr. Liu offered a brief overview of the School of Business's growth and its ongoing commitment to promoting academic exchanges and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Dr. Liu delivered the Welcome Address
Following the welcome address, Professor Gao delivered his opening remarks, expressing his enthusiasm about visiting MUST for the first time. Reflecting on his academic journey, he reviewed significant developments in Chinese academia and theoretical thought over the past two decades. He noted that his transition from jurisprudential and political studies to literary research was driven by a desire to explore the profound connections between law and power as depicted in literary works.
Professor Gao during the Lecture
The lecture focused on Professor Gao's recent work, Shakespeare’s History Plays and the British Monarchy. He provided an in-depth analysis of the intricate relationship between power and the rule of law in Shakespeare’s historical plays, particularly emphasizing Richard II, Henry IV, and Henry V. By close reading of the texts, he explored themes of character development, narrative structure, and historical context, illustrating how Shakespeare's plays reflect the tensions between law, power, and ethics. Furthermore, he further extended this analysis to contemporary issues regarding China’s rule of law and political development. He argued that Shakespeare’s works, beyond their literary merit, embody profound political thought. The recurring themes of legitimacy crises and power transitions in Shakespeare’s plays underscore the significance of political order in the development of early constitutionalism, offering valuable insights for China’s current exploration of rule of law and constitutional practices.
Following the lecture, Professor Gao engaged in a lively Q&A session with the audience. Participants posed inquiries on a variety of topics, including the power structures in Shakespeare’s works, the representation of political thought in literature, the role of literary studies in advancing political discourse, and how young people should approach their studies in the contemporary era. Professor Gao provided detailed and thoughtful responses, leaving a lasting impression on the attendees with his rigorous academic approach and analytical insights.
Professor Gao is interacting with the faculty and students
The lecture concluded successfully at 6:00 PM. Through his distinctive academic insights and profound interdisciplinary approach, Professor Gao vividly illustrated the potential and significance of merging literary and political studies. Attendees widely praised the lecture for enhancing their understanding of the ideological nuances within Shakespeare’s works and for emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary dialogue among political science, literature, and history.
As a crucial element of the School's efforts to facilitate academic exchanges and interdisciplinary collaboration, this lecture offers a novel perspective on the interconnections between contemporary politics, literature, and history. Furthermore, it contributes to the advancement of the School’s research endeavors and the nurturing of innovative intellectual capacity.
A group photo of Prof. Gao (sixth from the right) and the participants
(Contributed by Huihui Wang, Reviewed by Abraham W. LIU)
