'Shine forth, thou star of poets': A Lecture on Shakespeare
Friday 25 July 2025 | 02:00 PM
Surfers Paradise
Hear how Shakespeare's achievement has been understood by other writers, both during his lifetime and since his death.
Shakespeare's great theatrical rival, and friend, Ben Jonson, whose portrait appears in the HOTA Gallery exhibition Writers Revealed, hailed Shakespeare as a ‘star of poets’, one whose creative example could encourage and instruct, or, where necessary, censure the works of writers who came after him. So how has Shakespeare's achievement been understood by other writers, both during his lifetime and since his death?
As a way of gauging what other significant authors have found inspiring and distinctive about Shakespeare's oeuvre, this talk will make specific reference to his work Macbeth, which is showing at HOTA on Friday 25 July.
This program is inspired by Writers Revealed: Treasures from The British Library and the National Portrait Gallery, London, now showing at HOTA Gallery.
If Writers Revealed exhibition ticket is bought in conjunction with lecture ticket, the exhibition ticket is valid for the day of the lecture.
Artwork: William Shakespeare, associated with John Taylor, oil on canvas, feigned oval, circa 1610 © National Portrait Gallery, London
Getting there
Consider using public transport or active travel. Plan your trip with Translink's journey planner.
Parking may be limited. For metered parking, use the EasyPark app to start, end, and extend your parking direct from your phone to avoid fines. For more information visit City of Gold Coast's Parking page.