In the age of technology, everyone is exposed to a plethora of easily accessible information that users take advantage of every day. Digital archives are a helpful resource to learn more about any topic, especially when it comes to an author with such an elaborate body of work like Shakespeare. Although all the Belmont Folger Grant links are within a similar genre of archives, each one varied in purpose, audience, context, and authors. The Internet Shakespeare Editions' online archive effectively conveys plenty of scholarly sources and insights on Shakespeare's life and creations portraying a clear purpose of educating its audience who are more than likely to be students or anyone who has the intention to perform research of Shakespeare. Pieces and links selected were in abundance which relates to how the authors of the website are academics themselves who are well-versed in the Bard, or at least they are well-connected to those who are.
A multitude of links in the "Life & Times" tab in the navigation bar. The navigation bar holds many drop-down lists for users to find what resources they are looking for in particular. Each drop down list is a link to one of the countless web pages on the site that provides facts and interpretations of literary works by Shakespeare. Although it is certainly abundant in information, there are too many links within the menu, particularly in the “Life and Times” tab, or at least too many that have the same font style under one color. A sea of links within the navigation shows how much information the site actually has to offer which communicates the organization’s willingness to educate the audience as well as conveying the amount of information the authors are able to share based on knowledge revealing prowess in Shakespeare’s literature.
Internet Shakespeare Editions is a non-profit educational organization, so it is important to understand the context that although its main goal is to help its audience members—students and academics—to learn about Shakespeare, there is the other motive of gaining “friends,” or financial donors of the group to keep it up-and-running. In the footer navigation, there is a link mentioning becoming a friend of the ISE, which appeals to those who want to donate to the cause. According to ISE, the non-profit runs the website thanks to contributions from professors and researchers around the world who gave information to be put on the site, meaning the authors are connected to highly intelligent and expert Shakespeare educators who share their ideas. Most importantly, the whole organization is run through the University of Victoria in British Columbia, Canada. The fact that the website is affiliated with a college adds more credibility towards the author of the website alongside additions from scholars as found in the “Acknowledgements” page. This page gives credit where it is due to authors and their research as it is assisting in the process. Overall, although navigation is slightly overwhelming, the Internet Shakespeare Edition has thoroughly presented its purpose to educate its audience of academics are researching about Shakespeare, while also subtly asking for a donation to the organization. The site has also shown its scholarly authors who are not only explicitly recognized, but whose knowledge is reflected in informational pages about any topic pertaining to the playwright or his work. Visitors of the site who comprehensive research of Shakespeare will certainly not be disappointed.
1 Comment
Nicole M
9/17/2019 09:23:34 am
Fantastic analysis! I especially agree with your comments on the archive's navigation bar; just looking at all that black text on blue background made me break out in hives. While Internet Shakespeare Editions holds a vast scope of information, the way to market that to others is not to force all of it into the same square footage of their page. I like the way you've structured your analysis as well. Your paragraphs move from section to section of the archive, each time tying into how that section appeals to a specific audience, why that section might be there, etc., and all in an eloquent way. All in all, I enjoyed your analysis!
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