William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

by Harold Bloom, Janyce Marson (Editor)

Includes a brief biography of William Shakespeare, thematic and structural analysis of the work, critical views, and an index of themes and ideas.

Genres: Shakespeare, Literary Criticism

80 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Harold Bloom was an American literary critic and the Sterling Professor of Humanities at Yale University. In 2017, Bloom was called "probably the most famous literary critic in the English-speaking world." After publishing his first book in 1959, Bloom wrote more than 50 books, including over 40 books of literary criticism, several books discussing religion, and one novel. He edited hundreds of anthologies concerning numerous literary and philosophical figures for the Chelsea House publishing firm. Bloom's books have been translated into more than 40 languages. He was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1995.
Bloom was a defender of the traditional Western canon at a time when literature departments were focusing on what he derided as the "school of resentment" (multiculturalists, feminists, Marxists, and others). He was educated at Yale University, the University of Cambridge, and Cornell University.

Reviews

[Sha 🇪🇸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third essay of Harold Bloom’s I’ve had the pleasure to peruse; a wonderful piece by a man who grasps the intricacies and undeniably unmatched greatness of characters. Despite the perennial ways this play and its cast has been analysed throughout generations I’ve yet to anybody interpret it in such a beautiful manner that even mildly overlaps with how Bloom has done so.

I was most enamoured with his refreshingly deep understanding of Juliet: he states her innocence, her almost perfection and its ties to her youthfulness but he very seldom speaks of her as ‘stupid’ or as if her love for Romeo is pitiful. On the contrary he amplifies her maturity (at least in comparison to Romeo’s juvenile narrative) and her cleverness; how it, albeit being a pitfall, simply weaves the form and perfect representation of a young woman in love.

The simple-minded conversation that the play is nothing but grounded on two love-sick, stupid children is suffocating and his interpretation was like a breath of fresh air <3 recommend

[cristinastancu2016 · Rating 5 out of 5]

O antologie de eseuri critice despre "Romeo și Julieta". Găsești de toate: interpretări feministe, interpretări trase de păr, asocieri interesante, discuții despre pre-socratici, analize lingvistice la scena balconului, discuții despre scenă și arta actorului, dezbateri despre catolicism și protestantism în vremea lui Shakespeare. E un carusel de idei, toate pornind de la textul piesei. Un cub Rubik!

[Helen]

i've already read this during freshman year and i loved it. i'm glad that i decided to read the book again. i think the more you read the book the more you begin to understand the book more and what he was writing.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the love and joy had been sucked out of this book for me after teaching it. Then, my love was renewed thanks to Baz Lurman and TNT.

"Do you bite your thumb at me sir!?"

[Na'Teesha Owens · Rating 4 out of 5]

i like this book and rated it what i did because of the relationship with romeo and juliet.Also because of the fight between the two families.

[Anachelys Martinez]

its very sad and romantic

[Lakulin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I just finished reading a previous edition with almost 200 pages, and I am inclined to underscore that these essays are highly excellent academic achievements.