Reading Shakespeare and Beyond: A Year of Literary Reflection

This chapter explores a nuanced approach to reading Shakespeare by identifying four aesthetic stages and emphasizes personal engagement with his works. The speaker reflects on their year's reading journey, discussing the emotional connection to physical books and the initiation of a Hardcore Literature Book Club with John Steinbeck's 'East of Eden.' The chapter examines literary themes such as the fall narrative and the influence of Biblical texts on Western literature, advocating for a deep, scriptural approach to classic literature.