Shakspere and Montaigne by Jacob Feis

Description

Shakspere and Montaigne by Jacob Feis is a scholarly analysis that explores the philosophical underpinnings and controversies surrounding Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, likely written during the late 19th century. The book examines the connections between Shakespeare’s work and the contemporary ideas presented in the writings of Michel Montaigne, focusing particularly on how these themes might shed light on Hamlet’s complex motivations and motifs. The opening of the work sets the stage for an in-depth examination of the relationship between Shakespeare and Montaigne. Feis proposes that Hamlet can be better understood through the lens of Montaigne’s philosophy, which has generated considerable debate in its time. The author outlines a historical context for the dramatic arts in Elizabethan England, discussing how political and religious controversies influenced Shakespeare’s writing. He suggests that Hamlet is not only a personal response to the attacks from playwrights like Ben Jonson but also a broader commentary on the philosophical tensions of the period, particularly concerning issues of individualism and morality as championed by Montaigne. This analytical approach promises readers an enlightening journey through the intersections of literature, philosophy, and drama. (This is an automatically generated summary.)