Sunday, June 19, 2011

Reading Shakespeare

"Shakespeare plays should be read throughout our lifetimes, not just once. Children may not understand all of Shakespeare, but who does?"

From Leslie N.'s summary of CM's Volume 5 (section entitled, "Poetry as a Means of Culture")

CM's original words:

Shakespeare is not to be studied in a year; he is to be read continuously throughout life, from ten years old and onwards. But a child of ten cannot understand Shakespeare. No; but can a man of fifty? Is not our great poet rather an ample feast of which every one takes according to his needs, and leaves what he has no stomach for?

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