Obbligati: Essays in Criticism"The proper role of criticism [is] as a musical obbligato; that is, a counterpart that must constantly strive to move in strict harmony with and intellectual counterpoint to its subject, and remain always subordinate to the text upon which it presumes to comment." With this declaration, Hecht sets forth the manifesto of this graceful group of essays, implicitly chiding today's academic critics who apply theories to texts. Hecht is particularly elegant and eloquent on contemporary American poetry, from the tension between truth and fiction in Robert Lowell's autobiographical lyrics to the "musicianship" of Richard Wilbur. Hecht's best essay evokes the unique poetic voice of Elizabeth Bishop, and he is equally perspicacious on Frost, Auden, and Dickinson. An extended essay on Marvell's "The Garden" and Keats' "Ode to a Nightingale" offers an unusual comparative reading that captures the energies and langours of both poems. This book offers literary essays of rare quality. The writing throughout is a model of form suiting function--the lucid exposition of well-chosen ideas. |
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Page 165
... Jacob - Laban story seems to function on three levels , of which Shylock is aware of two . On the second level , which Antonio is not meant to grasp , the story serves as a justification for trickery , for legalistic in- genuity of the ...
... Jacob - Laban story seems to function on three levels , of which Shylock is aware of two . On the second level , which Antonio is not meant to grasp , the story serves as a justification for trickery , for legalistic in- genuity of the ...
Page 166
... Jacob . He had promised him Rachel to wife , and after Jacob had served seven years for her he with- held Rachel and gave him Leah instead . According to Jacob , Laban had also changed his wages ten times . Jacob had good reason ...
... Jacob . He had promised him Rachel to wife , and after Jacob had served seven years for her he with- held Rachel and gave him Leah instead . According to Jacob , Laban had also changed his wages ten times . Jacob had good reason ...
Page 167
... Jacob's triumph was directly linked to his religion . He describes Jacob as saying to Rachel and Leah , " God hath taken away the cattle of your father , and given them to me " ( 31 : 9 ) . Moreover , an angel appears to Jacob and gives ...
... Jacob's triumph was directly linked to his religion . He describes Jacob as saying to Rachel and Leah , " God hath taken away the cattle of your father , and given them to me " ( 31 : 9 ) . Moreover , an angel appears to Jacob and gives ...
Contents
The Pathetic Fallacy | 3 |
On W H Audens In Praise of Limestone | 27 |
Othello | 51 |
Copyright | |
6 other sections not shown
Common terms and phrases
answer Antonio appears Bassanio bear beauty become beginning believe bird body called character Christian clear comes continues course critics death doubt effect example exhibit eyes face fact father feelings figure final follows give given hand hear heart heaven hope human Iago imagination innocent interest Italy Jacob Jesus Jews kind later least less letter lines live look Lord Lowell means mind moral nature never offer once Othello passage perhaps play poem poet poetry Portia present question reason refers regard remarks rich scene seems sense Shakespeare Shylock sort soul speaks speech stand stanza story suggest symbolic tell things thou thought tion truth turn unto virtue whole writes young