Yeah, I've never been a fan of trying to avoid uncomfortable conclusions regarding literature. Just let people think about it the way they want. At least so long as whatever their conclusions don't lead to people banning it or attacking people for thinking of it differently.
This is so interesting! R&J has evolved to be the quintessential romance -- everyone knows of it, even if they've never read it. I mean I loved the IDEA of the story as romantic third grader; so much so that I once borrowed a copy of Shakespeare's works from my schools library so I could read THE love story everyone compared love to (spoiler alert: I had a really hard time reading Shakespearean English.... because I was 8). It wasn't until I was an adult when I realized, this is actually not very romantic. But I thought I was an outlier. The fact that this the exact intention of Shakespeare; and that his audience would CRINGE, and was supposed to cringe, is actually a really validating and fantastic study. At what point did we stop cringing? My guess is the age of Byron. Yours?
Thanks so much, Maria. Really appreciate that. We’re outliers—together! That’s hilarious what you say about trying to read Shakespeare at 8. You were one precocious girl! I didn’t put down the basketball and pick up books till I was about 18.
I think you’re totally right to use a word like cringe. When did we stop? I haven’t been able to determine that. Want to investigate? I’d love to hear what you find. (I’m too busy with the primary texts.) Thrilled to have your support!
Yeah, I've never been a fan of trying to avoid uncomfortable conclusions regarding literature. Just let people think about it the way they want. At least so long as whatever their conclusions don't lead to people banning it or attacking people for thinking of it differently.
Indeed! Thanks, Andrew
I see why...because you must say it...unlike Frye! Excellent!
Thanks, Donna! Appreciate your ongoing support
This is so interesting! R&J has evolved to be the quintessential romance -- everyone knows of it, even if they've never read it. I mean I loved the IDEA of the story as romantic third grader; so much so that I once borrowed a copy of Shakespeare's works from my schools library so I could read THE love story everyone compared love to (spoiler alert: I had a really hard time reading Shakespearean English.... because I was 8). It wasn't until I was an adult when I realized, this is actually not very romantic. But I thought I was an outlier. The fact that this the exact intention of Shakespeare; and that his audience would CRINGE, and was supposed to cringe, is actually a really validating and fantastic study. At what point did we stop cringing? My guess is the age of Byron. Yours?
Thanks so much, Maria. Really appreciate that. We’re outliers—together! That’s hilarious what you say about trying to read Shakespeare at 8. You were one precocious girl! I didn’t put down the basketball and pick up books till I was about 18.
I think you’re totally right to use a word like cringe. When did we stop? I haven’t been able to determine that. Want to investigate? I’d love to hear what you find. (I’m too busy with the primary texts.) Thrilled to have your support!