Shakespeare’s work provides a snapshot of how people made sense of the world around them: how they solved problems (how large is an opposing army?) and how they navigated a complex environment (does the sun rise in the east?).

In this talk Paul will explore how scientific and technological ideas are woven into Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets through actions, words and conversations between characters. He will mention Copernicus twice, once as an over-interpretation. His interest is in how we think within structures, not whether the structures are correct. Almanacs, mirrors and Dee’s vision of applied mathematics will be part of the story. He will also talk about nothing.

Paul Glendinning is the Beyer Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Manchester. His research is in applied dynamical systems and he has been President of the IMA (2022-2023) and Scientific Director of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences in Edinburgh (2016-2021).

Please email @email to register to attend in person.

The lecture will be broadcast on the Oxford Mathematics YouTube Channel on Wednesday 27 May at 5-6 pm and any time after (no need to register for the online version).

The Oxford Mathematics Public Lectures are generously supported by XTX Markets.