"Prompting AI to Read Shakespeare? Limits, Opportunities, and the Beauty of Hybrid Systems"

This study examines the application of AI in literary analysis, focusing on Shakespeare's characters Ophelia and Miranda. I explore two approaches: Zero-Shot and Co-Intelligence. The Zero-Shot method, which operates without direct training, provides quick but superficial insights, often lacking depth and nuance. It struggles with recognizing complex rhetorical devices and fails to capture the unique trajectories of the characters. In contrast, the Co-Intelligence approach excels through structured interaction and collaboration between human and AI, effectively highlighting the divergent paths of Ophelia and Miranda. This method uncovers Ophelia's emotional turmoil and descent into madness, as well as Miranda's growth and discovery. The study suggests that while Zero-Shot may suffice for a quick overview, Co-Intelligence offers a richer, more detailed analysis that is well-suited for complex literary studies. This collaborative approach holds promise for integrating AI into humanities research, providing new directions for exploration. The debate continues on AI's role in capturing literary nuances compared to human analysis. While some remain skeptical, the potential for AI to enhance literary interpretation is promising.