Just used "Hamlet and the Vision of Darkness" in my Masters dissertation at King's College. Ask him what he thinks about Shakespeare's possible access to Florio's Montaigne translations. Also tell him what a good book it is.
Why does Lear show such poor judgement and ill temperament right away in 1.i -- giving up (sort of) his rule, dividing his kingdom, and turning on his favorite so reflexively? Seems like something must have happened before. At least we see that Gloucester is fooled by Edmund into turning on Edgar. Lear's arc toward madness and then tragic clarity seems both more volatile and radical. Oh, and is there any other characters quite like Regan and Goneril in Shakespeare? They seem sui generis.
A seemingly strong entry to the bountiful Shakespeare canon. I will check it out. Though I must note...no mention of Harold Bloom's Invention of the Human?
Sounds like an interesting book, Henry -- incidentally, this was really why I brought up the passage 'They say miracles are past' in the discussion of All's Well That Ends Well'.
To the list, I'd add John Bayley's book on Shakespearean Tragedy, and William Empson's Essays on Shakespeare.
Just used "Hamlet and the Vision of Darkness" in my Masters dissertation at King's College. Ask him what he thinks about Shakespeare's possible access to Florio's Montaigne translations. Also tell him what a good book it is.
Why does Lear show such poor judgement and ill temperament right away in 1.i -- giving up (sort of) his rule, dividing his kingdom, and turning on his favorite so reflexively? Seems like something must have happened before. At least we see that Gloucester is fooled by Edmund into turning on Edgar. Lear's arc toward madness and then tragic clarity seems both more volatile and radical. Oh, and is there any other characters quite like Regan and Goneril in Shakespeare? They seem sui generis.
"ARE" there any other characters quite like Regan and Goneril? Apologies for the typo
A seemingly strong entry to the bountiful Shakespeare canon. I will check it out. Though I must note...no mention of Harold Bloom's Invention of the Human?
Is Shakespeare better read or watched in performance ?
Sounds like an interesting book, Henry -- incidentally, this was really why I brought up the passage 'They say miracles are past' in the discussion of All's Well That Ends Well'.
To the list, I'd add John Bayley's book on Shakespearean Tragedy, and William Empson's Essays on Shakespeare.
All the best for now,
Michael