Shakespeare on love and friendship
By: Allan Bloom.
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Chicago
Language: eng
Number of pages: 159
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Tragicomedies.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Tragedies.; Tragicomedy -- History and criticism.; Friendship in literature.; Love in literature.; Sex in literature.; Tragedy.
Description: "William Shakespeare is the only classical author to remain widely popular - not only in America but throughout the world - and Allan Bloom argues that this is because no other writer holds up a truer mirror to human nature. Unlike the Romantics and other moderns, Shakespeare has no project for the betterment or salvation of mankind - his poetry simply gives us eyes to see what is there.

In particular, we see the full variety of erotic connections, from the "star-crossed" devotions of Romeo and Juliet to the failed romance of Troilus and Cressida to the problematic friendship of Falstaff and Hal.".

"These highly original interpretations of the plays convey a deep respect for their author and a conviction that we still have much to learn from him. In Bloom's view, we live in a love-impoverished age; he asks us to turn once more to Shakespeare because the playwright gives us a rich vision of what is permanent in human nature without sharing our contemporary assumptions about erotic love."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Romeo and Juliet; title: Antony and Cleopatra; title: Measure for measure; title: Troilus and Cressida; title: The winter's tale; title: Hal and Falstaff.