Tolstoy on Shakespeare

by V. G. Chertkov

First published 2009

The great Leo Tolstoy rages against Shakespeare, scrutinizing the Bard's celebrated works with uncompromising criticism. Dissecting flawed characters, convoluted plots, and moral emptiness, Tolstoy argues Shakespeare's plays lack transcendent truth. Yet his scathing assault reveals a tortured, almost jealous relationship with the unassailable literary legend he can't ignore.

Genres: biography, literary-criticism, 20th-century, criticism, 19th-century, academic

Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, unreliable-narrator

Period: 20th-century, 19th-century

96 pages · Paperback

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