ABSTRACT
Across the continent of Asia, William Shakespeare has been a strong symbol of world literature and advanced Western civilization for several decades. Even though the reputation of this successful man of the theater in sixteenth-century England is partly due to cultural imperialism, Shakespeare has evolved into a representation of culture and knowledge in general, boasting the intellectual and artistic superiority of the West. Therefore, his presence in Asia often invokes ambivalence, a mixture of admiration and hatred. Asian intellectuals who try to modernize and advance their native culture may nd themselves eagerly devouring the pages of Shakespeare in a bid to understand and appropriate Western ideas. On the other hand, nativists who square up to imperialistic powers may see Shakespeare as cultural hegemony, a dangerous weapon in camouage, an indirect means to weaken and destroy their native culture and tradition.
