Written in the midst of World War II after its author emigrated to America, "The Sea and the Mirror" is not merely a great poem but ranks as one of the most profound interpretations of Shakespeare's final play in the twentieth century. As W. H. Auden told friends, it is 'really about the Christian conception of art' and it is 'my Ars Poetica, in the same way I believe "The Tempest" to be Shakespeare's.' This is the first critical edition. Arthur Kirsch's introduction and notes make the poem newly accessible to readers of ...
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Written in the midst of World War II after its author emigrated to America, "The Sea and the Mirror" is not merely a great poem but ranks as one of the most profound interpretations of Shakespeare's final play in the twentieth century. As W. H. Auden told friends, it is 'really about the Christian conception of art' and it is 'my Ars Poetica, in the same way I believe "The Tempest" to be Shakespeare's.' This is the first critical edition. Arthur Kirsch's introduction and notes make the poem newly accessible to readers of Auden, readers of Shakespeare, and all those interested in the relation of life and literature - those two classic themes alluded to in its title. The poem begins in a theater after a performance of "The Tempest" has ended.It includes a moving speech in verse by Prospero bidding farewell to Ariel, a section in which the supporting characters speak in a dazzling variety of verse forms about their experiences on the island, and an extravagantly inventive section in prose that sees the uncivilized Caliban address the audience on art - an unalloyed example of what Auden's friend Oliver Sachs has called his 'wild, extraordinary and demonic imagination.' Besides annotating Auden's allusions and sources (in notes after the text), Kirsch provides extensive quotations from his manuscript drafts, permitting the reader to follow the poem's genesis in Auden's imagination. This book, which incorporates for the first time previously ignored corrections that Auden made on the galleys of the first edition, also provides an unusual opportunity to see the effect of one literary genius upon another.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. No dust jacket. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 450grams, ISBN: 0691113718.
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Seller's Description:
Good in good dust jacket. 106 p. W.H. Auden: Critical Editions, 6. Boards slightly cupped. A few faint spots on upper text edge. Some foxing to ffep. Book otherwise clean and unmarked with tight binding. DJ has minor edge wear and a crease to front flap.
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Seller's Description:
New. 0691113718. *** FREE UPGRADE to Courier/Priority Shipping Upon Request ***-*** IN STOCK AND IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FOR SHIPMENT-Flawless--with a bonus offer--
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Princeton. 2003. Princeton University Press. 1st Edition. Very Good in Dustjacket. 0691113718. Edited by Arthur C. Kirsch. 152 pages. hardcover. keywords: Shakespeare Literary Criticism Poetry The Tempest. FROM THE PUBLISHER-Written in the midst of World War II after its author emigrated to America, ‘The Sea and the Mirror' is not merely a great poem but ranks as one of the most profound interpretations of Shakespeare's final play in the twentieth century. As W. H. Auden told friends, it is ‘really about the Christian conception of art' and it is ‘my Ars Poetica, in the same way I believe The Tempest to be Shakespeare's. ' This is the first critical edition. Arthur Kirsch's introduction and notes make the poem newly accessible to readers of Auden, readers of Shakespeare, and all those interested in the relation of life and literature--those two classic themes alluded to in its title. The poem begins in a theater after a performance of The Tempest has ended. It includes a moving speech in verse by Prospero bidding farewell to Ariel, a section in which the supporting characters speak in a dazzling variety of verse forms about their experiences on the island, and an extravagantly inventive section in prose that sees the uncivilized Caliban address the audience on art--an unalloyed example of what Auden's friend Oliver Sachs has called his ‘wild, extraordinary and demonic imagination. ' Besides annotating Auden's allusions and sources (in notes after the text), Kirsch provides extensive quotations from his manuscript drafts, permitting the reader to follow the poem's genesis in Auden's imagination. This book, which incorporates for the first time previously ignored corrections that Auden made on the galleys of the first edition, also provides an unusual opportunity to see the effect of one literary genius upon another. inventory #36019.
