also, is fair that I'm wondering about Shakespeare's cuckold obsession? I know its come up in the group and perhaps it isn't a favorite topic. But I can't help but marvel at it. He seems to want to look at cuckoldry from every feasible angle. At the end of Much Ado, Benedick makes a joke about it even as he is getting married! Its like a rite of passage for these people.
The dramatic tension surrounding Leontes' not-so-sudden jealousy, to me, says a lot about Hermione. I think it fits with your argument in this post, but here it is in a nutshell.
Camillo's decision to disobey Leontes and save Polixenes indirectly highlights the exceptional quality of Hermione's character. While Leontes commands respect as a king, Hermione inspires deep affection and loyalty. Camillo protects Polixenes, abandons his prestigious position in Sicilia, and goes to exile in Bohemia at least in part for his reverence for her. At the same time, Camillo handles the situation with political savvy, diplomatically framing Leontes’ jealousy as a kind of sickness or irrational affliction. His tact ensures his survival, allowing him to adapt and thrive in a new kingdom.
After my first reading of the play, the separate fates of Camillo & Antigonus jumped out at me more than the arc of the 'mad' Leontes. Camillo disobeys his king while Antigonus only half-obeys. And we know what happens to Antigonus!
So agree, Hermione represents virtuous leadership, which she extended to Leontes---she never lacks sympathy for him. Antigonus is a nice guy but should he had trusted the dream?
How do you rate the editions? I've decided that Shakespeare is my way through the next four years. I would like to buy new the complete works. Someone recommended that I buy each work individually rather than a complete works set for maximum scholarship. Not sure that is true.
If you want full introductory material notes etc then yes individual editions are better. I have a complete works (RSC edition, ed. Bate) plus many individual copies, mostly Arden, some RSC. In the library I make a lot of use of the Cambridge editions, which are very good and often the equal of the Arden but more straightforward, however there is obviously variation between editors. You won't go wrong with any of them in my view. I don't know what the Folger editions are like because we don't get them here (as far as I know) but they are supposed to be good too. My favourites were always the old beige Penguin editions which I used to buy for £2 and which are small and light. If price is a concern, scope the second hand shops and you can often find good copies. There is a shop near me that currently has at least half the plays in the latest Arden editions, decent quality, for £5 each for example. Older editions are of course very good but some of the scholarship will no longer be up to date. I also have the Oxford complete edition but it is not very good and I say avoid it! Their individual editions are never quite as good either.
also, is fair that I'm wondering about Shakespeare's cuckold obsession? I know its come up in the group and perhaps it isn't a favorite topic. But I can't help but marvel at it. He seems to want to look at cuckoldry from every feasible angle. At the end of Much Ado, Benedick makes a joke about it even as he is getting married! Its like a rite of passage for these people.
it's an obsession of the period, but yes, he's almost obsessed
The dramatic tension surrounding Leontes' not-so-sudden jealousy, to me, says a lot about Hermione. I think it fits with your argument in this post, but here it is in a nutshell.
Camillo's decision to disobey Leontes and save Polixenes indirectly highlights the exceptional quality of Hermione's character. While Leontes commands respect as a king, Hermione inspires deep affection and loyalty. Camillo protects Polixenes, abandons his prestigious position in Sicilia, and goes to exile in Bohemia at least in part for his reverence for her. At the same time, Camillo handles the situation with political savvy, diplomatically framing Leontes’ jealousy as a kind of sickness or irrational affliction. His tact ensures his survival, allowing him to adapt and thrive in a new kingdom.
After my first reading of the play, the separate fates of Camillo & Antigonus jumped out at me more than the arc of the 'mad' Leontes. Camillo disobeys his king while Antigonus only half-obeys. And we know what happens to Antigonus!
So agree, Hermione represents virtuous leadership, which she extended to Leontes---she never lacks sympathy for him. Antigonus is a nice guy but should he had trusted the dream?
How do you rate the editions? I've decided that Shakespeare is my way through the next four years. I would like to buy new the complete works. Someone recommended that I buy each work individually rather than a complete works set for maximum scholarship. Not sure that is true.
If you want full introductory material notes etc then yes individual editions are better. I have a complete works (RSC edition, ed. Bate) plus many individual copies, mostly Arden, some RSC. In the library I make a lot of use of the Cambridge editions, which are very good and often the equal of the Arden but more straightforward, however there is obviously variation between editors. You won't go wrong with any of them in my view. I don't know what the Folger editions are like because we don't get them here (as far as I know) but they are supposed to be good too. My favourites were always the old beige Penguin editions which I used to buy for £2 and which are small and light. If price is a concern, scope the second hand shops and you can often find good copies. There is a shop near me that currently has at least half the plays in the latest Arden editions, decent quality, for £5 each for example. Older editions are of course very good but some of the scholarship will no longer be up to date. I also have the Oxford complete edition but it is not very good and I say avoid it! Their individual editions are never quite as good either.
Money not an issue. I will do a complete works while adding individual editions as I work my way through it. Many thanks!
no problem, I think we are going to do more Shakespeare in the subscribers book club next year so I will be continuing to write about the works too
"Once he reached the darkness of the other side a firework went off, as if Ariel had ascended to the sky" oh my heart!
isnt it splendid