William Empson byl anglický literární kritik a básník, známý svým precizním čtením literárních děl, které ovlivnilo Nové kritiky. Jeho styl, často popisovaný jako vtipný a excentrický, mu vynesl pověst kritika geniality, ale i kontroverzního, někdy až "licentovaného šaška". Empsonova práce je ceněna pro svou sílu a nekonvenční přístup, což z něj činí jednu z nejvýznamnějších postav literární kritiky 20. století.
Exploring the rich tapestry of Renaissance drama, this collection features insightful essays on the works of notable playwrights such as Kyd, Jonson, Webster, and Shakespeare. Each essay delves into the themes, characters, and historical context of their plays, offering a deeper understanding of the era's theatrical innovations and cultural significance. This anthology serves as a valuable resource for those interested in the evolution of drama during the Renaissance period.
In this fascinating study, Partha Mitter traces the history of European reactions to Indian art, from the earliest encounters of explorers with the exotic. East to the more sophisticated but still incomplete appreciations of the early twentieth century. Mitter's new Preface reflects upon the profound changes in Western interpretations of non-Western societies over the past fifteen years.
Essays on Renaissance Literature: Volume 1, Donne and the New Philosophy
This collection features some of William Empson's most fervent and provocative essays, showcasing his unique insights and critical perspectives. It includes previously inaccessible writings, offering readers a deeper understanding of his literary thought and the controversies surrounding his work. Empson's exploration of themes in literature promises to engage both scholars and enthusiasts alike.
Some Versions of Pastoral is considered a landmark of modern literary criticism. Mr. Empson sees the pastoral convention as including not only poems of shepherd life but any work "about the people but not by or for" them. Finding examples in the writing of every country and century, from Mencius to William Faulkner or Céline, he concentrates on an analysis of certain works and forms in English literature, several of them, like Alice in Wonderland , Troilus and Cressida , and proletarian novels not traditionally considered pastoral. His chapter on Milton and Bentley is a precursor of Mr. Empson’s 1961 book, Milton’s God . With virtuoso clarity and perception throughout he brings the student to a new awareness of hidden values in individual works and to the creative possibilities of the language.
Empson has long been applauded for the dazzling intelligence and emotional passion of his poems. Praised in his lifetime by the likes of T.S. Eliot, Dylan Thomas and John Betjeman, his reputation contines to be high. His poems take a wide range of themes from metaphysics to melancholy, social climbing to political satire, and from love to loss. schovat popis
The book focuses on the resurgence of classic literature from the early 1900s and earlier, highlighting the scarcity and rising costs of these historical works. It emphasizes the commitment to republishing these classics in affordable, high-quality modern editions while preserving the original text and artwork. This initiative aims to make timeless literature more accessible to contemporary readers.
