Shakespeare - A theatre of envy

[Koa]

Sounds like advertising, but for those who like Shakespeare, there's this book by René Girard called A theatre of Envy, where this guy applies his theory about 'mimetic desire' to Sheakespeare's works (hard to explain, basically he thinks that most characters induce their wishes on other characters...or something like that). I think it's a quite interesting point of view, I'm ALMOST enjoying some parts of the book even if I'm not a Shakespeare fan nor I know many plays...but I think that if you like the plays and actually know about them, it can be a quite interesting read

[Helga]

thanks for letting us know, I don't know of many Shakespeare books except the one I posted about last summer, 'Actors made him brilliant'. I love Shakespeare, no other poet or playwright has ever touched me in the same way.

I'll check this book out!

[mono]

I have heard of this phenomenon, Koa, but forgot the referencing name of the book. I feel almost convinced that every great author has some sort of trick up his/her sleeve.
Thank you for creating the thread.

[Koa]

Glad that it can be of interest to someone, I think on some points the theories of the book can be argued but it is good to know a new point of view... if I liked Shakespeare I'd find the book really interesting

[Monica]

I'm having an exam from English literature soon Shakespeare including so if I find time I'll look at it. Our lecturer is pretty demanding and a different point of view on Shakespeare will for sure interest her. Thanks for letting know about it, Koa.

[Koa]

Don't tell me Monica...I'm reading this book for an exam but what pisses me off is that I already did the exam on Shakespeare on my semester abroad but the teacher here judged it wasnt enough work so i had extra work... fair enough but the estra work I have makes it like I'll end up doing 2 exams instead of one, which sucks especially cos I dont like Shakespeare and most of all because it is making my exam session a real nightmare...if it wasnt for it I'd have time to prepare better the exams about things I HAVEN'T done already!

(end of rant)