King Lear, MacBeth, Indefinition, and Tragedy

by Stephen Booth

In this provocative book, first published in 1983, Stephen Booth speculates on the essence of tragedy. He argues that the literary works we call tragedies have their value as enabling dramatic tragedies can render us capable, temporarily, of enduring practical, personal experience of the fact of infinity.

Genres: Shakespeare, Literature, Literary Criticism

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Stephen Booth was Professor of English at the University of California, Berkeley. He is the editor of 'Shakespeare's Sonnets' (New Haven, 1977), and the author of 'An Essay on Shakespeare's Sonnets' (New Haven, 1969) and 'King Lear, Macbeth, Indefinition, and Tragedy' (New Haven, 1983).

Reviews

[M.L. Rio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This strange little book is well worth a read for anyone who has ever been frustrated or fascinated by the silppery nature of language and character in Shakespeare's great tragedies. Booth writes criticism like a conversation with the reader and presents his own findings with refreshing humility and awareness of the fact that nothing in the realm of Shakespeare criticism is indisputable.

[Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

Booth has some really interesting insights. His cental thesis in both of these essays, if I understand him correctly, is that our (i.e., the audience's) unconscious experience of contradictions and irresolution in these plays is a central component of tragedy. I'm not sure though if Booth would agree with that summation.

I think these essays are really good, but I also think I've missed a major component of the insight. I read this for a class I'm taking next semester, so I'll be interested in seeing what my prof has to say about these.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephen Booth is an academic powerhouse. How do you write a book? How do you redefine a genre? Here's the answer.