SHAKESPEARE

Alternative title

First World Shakespeare Congress

Synopsis

Two papers given during the First World Shakespeare Congress, held in Vancouver, B.C.

Dr. Norman Rabkin, University of California at Berkeley, explores the field of critical approaches to
Shakespeare. He feels that the present nomenclature of literary criticism, i.e., theme, meaning and causality
is inadequate and misleading as far as understanding
Shakespeare is concerned. Dr. Rabkin proposes a new
system based on Keats, ‘Negative Capability’ theory
which he believes steers clear of the older methods of
trying to reduce Shakespeare’s drama to simplistic
component ideas (15 mins).

Panel discussion of Dr. Rabkin’s theses. Prof. Harold Oliver, University of New South Wales, Australia, argues that Dr. Rabkin’s theory seems too
passive and appears to abandon the idea of perseverance in trying to see into the workings of Shakespeare’s play (5 mins). Ernst A.J. Honigmann, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, disagrees with Dr. Rabkin’s interpretation of Keats’ theory of ‘Negative Capability’. He also urges literary critics to learn the limitations of their craft when analysing a dramatic work of art. (5 mins). John Meagher, University of Toronto, points out the invalidity of making abstract generalisations from Shakespeare’s plays since Shakespeare himself was ‘most vividly self-conscious of being a dramatist and of his plays being plays’. (2 mins). Prof. Daniel Seltzer, Princeton University, feels we should look to the actors’ experience, as a body of
knowledge, from which a unified nomenclature can be
formulated and applied to textural analysis (2 mins).
Kristian Smidt, University of Oslo, disagrees with Prof. Seltzer’s theory - and feels that whatever can be gleaned from the acting professions would surely come from the directors and producers (1 min).

Prof. Wolfgang Clemen, University of Munich, elaborates on a method he uses for analysing plays. This is responding to a play’s ‘physiognomy’. He compares Shakespeare’s Richard II and Marlowe’s Edward II to illustrate the principle. He looks at the following physiognomical details in both plays: the timing of the action, the relationship between on-stage and off-stage events, the handling of dialogue and speech, the use of spectacle and pageantry, the sequence and frequency of exits and entrances of actors, the ratio between narration and description, the sequence of contrasting scenes, the construction of the play with regard to plot and sub-plot, the inclusion of past and future and the technique of preparation (30 mins).

Series

Ideas

Language

English

Country

Canada

Medium

Radio

Transmission details

27 Jan 1972 at 19:00 (Channel: CBC-FM)

Duration

60 mins

Credits

Producer

Bill Terry

Contributor

Daniel Seltzer; E.A.J. Honigmann; Harold Oliver; John C. Meagher; Norman Rabkin; Smidt. Kristian; Wolfgang Clemen

Additional Details

Production type

Documentary/Educational/News

Plays

Richard II

Subjects

Drama

Keywords

literary criticism; Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)

Production Company

Name

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

Archive

Name

CBC Broadcasting Centre Archives

Address

205 Wellington Street West
Toronto
Ontario
Canada MSV 3G7