I enjoyed rereading this set of plays. This edition sets the stage by giving an introduction before each play. The plays dive into the themes of fate,I enjoyed rereading this set of plays. This edition sets the stage by giving an introduction before each play. The plays dive into the themes of fate, guilt, civil disobedience and family ties, and other historical Greek motifs. [image] There were text notes after the plays and a Greek persons/mythological/geographical glossary to help with the who/what/where questions. I enjoyed rediscovering this trilogy for a second time. I originally read them when I was in high school and remember them being interesting. I would recommend it for anyone to read. Thanks! ...more
I struggled on and off when reading this. This is my first time reading Shakespeare since high school but I powered through it. There are glossary terI struggled on and off when reading this. This is my first time reading Shakespeare since high school but I powered through it. There are glossary terms in the footnotes which was helpful. The editor gave a history of the theater in Shakespeare's time and an in-depth analysis of the Coriolanus and themes in the play.
Overall, I liked the concept behind the plot. It is an interesting look at a successful military general turned politician. Things eventually fall around him as he became immersed into a world he knew nothing about. [image] Coriolanus was a military tactician where his life was black and white—kill or be killed. His transition into the political world where things operate in the grey ultimately became his downfall. Coriolanus was seen as the hero to the people but was tragic victim of his own pride and arrogance. [image]
My rage is gone, And I am struck with sorrow. - Tullus Aufidius, Act 5, Scene 6
I liked it and would recommend it because it's a short Shakespeare story. It was turned into a movie in 2011 starring Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler. I would recommend both. Thanks!...more
I enjoyed Hermann Hesse's novel of two medieval German men. The story centers on two friends: Narcissus and Goldmund. The two meet and become friends I enjoyed Hermann Hesse's novel of two medieval German men. The story centers on two friends: Narcissus and Goldmund. The two meet and become friends early in the cloister. Narcissus matures and finds his path in the cloister, takes his vows, and devotes to a monastic life. Goldmund, earthly and taken hold of by the beauty of women, leaves the cloister to undertake an endless search for worldly salvation. Narcissus is the teacher, the pious, and the man of God; Goldmund is the lover, the artist, and the creator of beautiful things. [image] The author does a great job of showing living dichotomy between the two friends.
I was very moved by the story of venturing out into the world, discovering new people and places, and only to discover yourself. Only in doing so you always end up back where you started. For me it was like when people say "you always go back to the beginning" in some fashion or another. [image] That was my interpretation of the story: you always come full circle in life.
I truly enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it. Thanks!...more
This is a re-read for me since I read excerpts of the first act back in school. I enjoyed reading this and enjoyed the Walter Kaufmann translation. ThThis is a re-read for me since I read excerpts of the first act back in school. I enjoyed reading this and enjoyed the Walter Kaufmann translation. The concept of the devil, witchcraft, selling one's sole, and the downward spiral that follows such an ordeal has always intrigued me.
Faust was an intelligent young scholar who sought to know as much as possible about general world knowledge like science and religion. One night after going for a walk he was approached by the devil, going by the name Mephistopheles. The Devil offered Faust a deal: to sign away his soul and be given all knowledge of the world. [image] Faust signs a contract with his own blood and the story takes off. Eventually Faust develops a lust for a young innocent and beautiful woman, Gretchen, and he goes to great lengths to seduce and have her. [image] I read the introduction and that was 56 pages of valuable information about the philosophical framework, characters, historical background, and analysis/explanations of various topics related to the book. Also there's five pages of a brief synopsis of each chapter/scene that I found helpful (sometimes it was confusing what exactly I was reading). This is the complete tragedy: Dedication, Prelude in the Theatre, Prologue in Heaven, and both parts of the Tragedy. This particular book had the German on the left side and simultaneous English on the right side. So that means of the 439 pages you're only reading 219 pages of the English.
I enjoyed re-reading this and I may read it again in a few years from now. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the origins of the concept. Thanks!...more
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