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Can Love Survive Marriage? Stephen Greenblatt on Shakespeare
Aug 16, 2024
Stephen Greenblatt, a renowned scholar in Shakespearean studies, delves into the Bard's multifaceted views on love and marriage. He contrasts the exhilaration of courtship with the letdowns of marriage, highlighting Shakespeare's paradoxical portrayal of romantic ideals versus harsh realities. Greenblatt also explores societal attitudes towards love, including male relationships and Shakespeare's complex personal life. The discussion reveals how the intricacies of love, gender dynamics, and societal expectations shape Shakespeare's timeless narratives.
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Quick takeaways
- Shakespeare's works illustrate the fleeting nature of passionate love, emphasizing its intense but temporary excitement during courtship.
- The analysis of Shakespeare's married characters reveals a stark contrast to romantic love, highlighting the challenges and complexities of marital relationships.
Deep dives
The Nature of Passionate Love
Passionate love is often marked by intense feelings during the courtship phase, characterized by excitement and joy when trying to win over a partner. Many individuals experience that the thrill of romance tends to diminish once the relationship becomes secure or settled. This phenomenon resonates with Shakespeare's portrayal of love, particularly in his works like 'Romeo and Juliet', where the characters experience an overwhelming desire that is fueled by the thrill of the chase. It emphasizes embracing and enjoying passionate love while it lasts, as its transitory nature is a foregone conclusion.
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