H05013 HARDY AND SHAKESPEARE - 2/19/05 - HARDY FORUM ARCHIVES ____________________________________________________________________________

From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu

Subject: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 19, 2005 1:42:43 PM PST

Iv'e read that many consider Hardy, because of his total achievement ,

second only to Shakespeare. I'm going to write a paper on why this is so

and/or what influence Shakespeare had on Hardy. I'm also interested in

similarities between the two. I would greatly appreciate any sources,

ideas, and personal opinions on this subject. Sincerely John C. Spaeth

john.spaeth@highland.edu

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From: hardycor@owl.csusm.edu

Subject: Re: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 19, 2005 3:22:41 PM PST

John, there is an excellent essay on Hardy and Shakespeare by Michael

Thorpe in_The Oxford Reader's Companion to Hardy_, ed. Norman Page, 2000.

It covers such topics as critics who have compared the two writers, Hardy's

numerous Shakespearian allusions, and Shakespeare's stylistic influences on

Hardy. This might be a good starting point.

Betty Cortus

hardycor@owl.csusm.edu

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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu

Subject: Re: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 20, 2005 4:22:24 AM PST

Hi John --

-- canonically-speaking (and also according to self-appointed canonizer, Harold Bloom), Hardy is up there with Shakespeare because, unlike other "Greats," he is a classical/major writer in more that one genre. IE: Shakespeare: Drama and Poetry. Hardy: Novels and Poetry (and one might also include Drama : *The Dynasts* et al).

Good luck with your paper.

Rosemarie.

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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu

Subject: Re: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 21, 2005 6:53:37 PM PST

Thank you for your help. I look forward to more correspondence.

Sincerely JohnC.Spaeth

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From: JOHN.SPAETH@highland.edu

Subject: Re: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 21, 2005 6:55:33 PM PST

Thank you for your response. Hardy means everything to me and I hope to

someday have the chance to study under some Hardy scholars.

Sincerely

JohnC.Spaeth

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From: Rosemarie.morgan@yale.edu

Subject: Re: Why is Hardy Considered second to Shakespeare?

Date: February 21, 2005 7:21:03 PM PST

Perhaps we can look forward to studying under YOU one day -- John!

Cheers,

Rosemarie

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