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Ten Questions for Shakespeare
Author(s) -
Bruster Douglas
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
literature compass
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.158
H-Index - 4
ISSN - 1741-4113
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-4113.2005.00158.x
Subject(s) - hamlet (protein complex) , variety (cybernetics) , relation (database) , sonnet , imperfect , literature , wish , aesthetics , psychology , philosophy , art , poetry , linguistics , computer science , artificial intelligence , database
What questions could William Shakespeare answer for us in person? This essay begins by imagining that we could ask Shakespeare any ten questions we wished. Acknowledging the imperfect, always incomplete nature of writers’ relation to their works, this essay nonetheless poses questions that could clear up small mysteries concerning Shakespeare – while of course creating even other questions to ponder. Among the ten are queries concerning Hamlet , the Sonnets, and Shakespeare's early years.A rationale for each question is given, as well as comment on what the answers to these questions could tell us about Shakespeare's life, writings, and times. The essay closes with additional questions we may wish to have answered, and provides a list of suggested readings on a variety of topics connected with Shakespeare's life and art.