Mustapha Fahmi brings Cleopatra and Shakespeare to Rabat's book fair
Can an essay deeply rooted in Shakespeare and centuries of philosophy resonate with a broad audience? The answer, it seems, lies in the work of Mustapha Fahmi. This Moroccan-Canadian author and researcher, a keen admirer of Nietzsche, Spinoza, and Heidegger, weaves their ideas into his trilogy celebrating Shakespeare's female characters. The latest installment, «The Beauty of Cleopatra», has just been released by La Peuplade publishers.
Following the presentation of the first two parts, «Rosalind's Lesson» and «Juliet's Promise», at the International Book and Publishing Fair (SIEL) in 2022, Mustapha Fahmi returns to SIEL 2025 to unveil the final volume of his trilogy. He will be at the joint stand of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and the Council of the Moroccan Community Abroad (CCME).
This third book, written in a smooth and accessible style, makes even intricate philosophical concepts engaging for the general reader, placing the allure of literature at the service of thoughtful exploration. It steers clear of academic elitism while maintaining an elegant use of language.
A Tribute to Female Intelligence
In his writing, Fahmi emphasizes female intelligence, paying homage to Shakespeare's brilliance as one of the few male playwrights to craft compelling female characters. Conversely, Mustapha Fahmi observes that «the genius of female writers is also revealed in their ability to invent complex and convincing male characters». Speaking with Yabiladi, the author further notes that Cleopatra remains «the most complex role» within Shakespeare's creations.
In «The Beauty of Cleopatra», Fahmi examines this iconic figure through ethical, political, and aesthetic lenses. The book also explores diverse perspectives, ranging from Greek philosophy to Kant, offering a profound reflection on contemporary issues informed by Shakespeare's enduring legacy. Underlying these explorations is a questioning of beauty's permanence or fragility, and the mystery it may or may not retain.
«For me, Shakespeare is more than just an academic field. He is a guide. When I encounter a problem—whether personal, existential, or professional—I always turn to him. Either I find the answer, or I discover a better question that reveals the inadequacy of my initial inquiry».
Mustapha Fahmi
Drawing from Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra, Mustapha Fahmi portrays Cleopatra largely through the impact she has on those around her. He describes the play as «a supreme masterpiece», one he has taught for years and to which he has dedicated articles and sections of essays in English. It is also a work that provides «moments of respite where one can pause and reflect».
«In the English-speaking world, people are more familiar with plays like Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear, and Romeo and Juliet. However, this particular character has always held a special fascination for me, which is why I decided to write a book about Cleopatra», he explains. «Antony and Cleopatra begins with extraordinary beauty, sustained by a unique intensity combined with a duration that could lead to exhaustion, even ecstasy», the author elaborates.
In «The Beauty of Cleopatra», the discourse engages with philosophers, thereby restoring literature to a position of intellectual significance.
«I believe that modern literary theories—structuralism, post-structuralism, deconstruction, among others—have served literature well. They have liberated us from the simplistic nature of romantic and humanistic criticism. However, they have severed the connection between literature and life, turning it into a subject for specialists who speak an impenetrable language. We attend conferences, converse among ourselves, and understand each other, but the general public is absent. Yet, since Homer, literature has never been this way», Mustapha Fahmi explains, emphasizing his aim to re-establish this connection by stripping away academic jargon.
«I firmly believe that a writer's maturity is achieved through simplicity, not complexity. A writer who becomes increasingly complex over time is, in my view, developing in the wrong direction».
Mustapha Fahmi
In the process of writing this trilogy, the author even questioned his role as an academic. «We have three obligations: first, to knowledge; second, to our students; and third, often overlooked, to society», he states. In Morocco, Mustapha Fahmi recalls receiving his education «through public funds, up to his bachelor's degree». In Canada, his master's and PhD were supported by society. As he nears retirement from his professorship, a sense of gratitude inspires his reflection.
«I decided in 2018 that it was time for me to give something back to society», he explains. After years of research, numerous books, and academic articles in English, the author was eager to produce works that could be read in a «simple and intelligent» manner, showing respect for the reader. «I truly believe that all university professors should do this towards the end of their careers: give something back to society», he argues.
This trilogy, at the very least, restores the inherent beauty of literature, culminating years of lectures delivered worldwide on Shakespeare. This includes the Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, where Mustapha Fahmi holds the distinction of being the first Arab and one of the few Canadians to deliver a lecture, in addition to having a doctoral thesis that offers a philosophical interpretation of Shakespeare's characters and the question of identity.
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