You're quite right. I should have been more specific about what I mean by "first work," but, in any case, I'm going to back up and do a video on Ringers in the Tower soon.
@@LeafbyLeaf I share your enthusiasm for Bloom's pure enthusiasm for the literary sublime. He is my teacher. My Shakespeare is Bloom's Shakespeare, and the rest follows. I enjoyed you video. Thank you.
Excellent review as always. I have been watching Bloom’s interviews lately and what a scholar and critic he was. I ordered his ‘ Western Canon’ and will surely get these 3 influence books you recommended. Thanks.
Another Aussie here who has just discovered your wonderful channel. Bloom was extraordinary and he has challenged me to think more deeply about what I read. It’s his heart-on-his-sleeve love of literature I value most, perhaps. Sometimes I totally disagree with his judgements on particular works, including on Shakespeare, but even then he increases my enjoyment of the original works. He was imperfect and arrogant sometimes but that only makes him human.
Hello there, Aussie mate! Always a treat to welcome another from down under. (I’ve got Patrick White and Murnane on the way!) Great words about Bloom. Certainly he was often provocative, and not always right (his dismissal of Infinite Jest, for example). But, like you said, he was perhaps the most passionate lover of literature I’ve witnessed. He truly absorbed and cherished literature. It was never a platform for something outside of literature, for him. One cannot fail to get excited about reading in Bloom’s presence. And, really, I think he realized that he had to be bombastic to reach the ears of those to whom he was really speaking.
Love from Australia! This is excellent well-researched content. I have been reading obsessively for a year now and Bloom has been a great guide for me.
I love Harold Bloom. May I recommend an interview on Book TV from their In Depth series. Took place in 2003 and three hours in length. I have watched a number of times and find it fascinating and educational. Great intro to Professor Bloom who passed away recently. Susan Swain conducted the interview and was wonderful. Finally, your channel is enjoyable and I will look forward to new additions.
Hello! Yes, I’ve watched that one several times as well as anything else I’ve been able to find. Seeing his house there in New Haven always fills me with whimsy. He will be missed, and I’m thankful for all the books he left behind.
I presume you mean the Closing of the American Mind. I read that one many years ago and it put me in such a bad mood. It's tough to face reality sometimes.
Not a criticism of you, but a beef with the academic world generally, and a word of support for Harold Bloom: I completely disagree with the current denigration of the Western canon. I’m told that Shakespeare is “out” because his prominence stems from “anglocentricity.” Rather than read him, I am supposed to turn to other writers with non-European or non-white backgrounds. Leaving aside the fact that he wrote some of the most interesting women in literature, and leaving aside his obvious bisexuality, not to mention his thematic obsession with the fluidity of gender, I'm told to deemphasize him: after all, he is a white European male. He is likely slurred as “cis” as well, despite all the passages that explore gender dysphoria. The figure sitting on the suspect throne of English literature is, funnily enough, profoundly engaged with the themes that our current moment is obsessed with. But this is still not enough: he should not be read. Anyway, I love Shakespeare. I agree with the canon. He’s the best writer (in English) the world has ever had. Neo-Marxist ideas of “anglocentricity” have about as much relevance to me as a cow’s fart in Kansas.
well now I've got 3 books to buy lol. You're gonna have me buying a new bookshelf soon haha On another note, I don't think anyone was ever calling for "absolute equality" as far as the Canon goes. Everyone knows there are Prousts and there are Tao Lins, Sapphos and Rupi Kaurs; it's a matter of simply /recognizing/ those excellent writers, maybe all the more so if they're minorities because it's so much more difficult for them to be heard among the centuries of white male voices and teachers who seldom teach minority authors. No one is asking for the promotion of a bad book just because it's written by a minority, because that's stupid. There are plenty of good books written by them, and they should be taught for their literary merit in addition to the justice of righting a grievous wrong that harms us all by not reading more diversely.
Excellent news! And you're welcome! As for the content--I agree with you fully. I was using hyperbole to highlight Bloom's stance, which is admitted contentious. Thanks for the substantive comments!
May i ask you a bunch of personal questions? Are you married with Kids? How old are you? Thanks! I apologize for my curiosities! Above all this, you came back with an astounding book review! My congratulations! To be honest, hamlet's review was not so amazing as this one! You "bloom" me away! :-)
Is it my misunderstanding or is there a version of Blooms Western Canon WITH the theocratic age chapter that includes the tragedies of ancient Greece? My 94 version starts at the aristocratic age.
To my knowledge there is no version of the book with a section dedicated to the Theocratic Age. In fact, Bloom explicitly references his omission in the preface. My version is the same as yours.
For Bloom specifically, his The Best Poems of the English Language: From Chaucer Through Robert Frost is great. For (British) English verse, the Oxford Book of English Verse is great. But as far as a book that attempts to establish and expound a western canon for poetry in the same manner as Bloom’s 1994 book, I’m not sure. Plenty of histories and compendia, of course.
He was also very critical of Thomas Stearns Eliot (as he condescendingly called him)--although he did love "La Figlia che Piange" (which I agree is beautiful).
Oh my, ordered Map of Misreading, Anxiety of Influence, Shakespeare Invention of the Human, and of course the Anatomy of Influence. God give me strength, these are NOT easy reads. I will persevere! But...yikes...dense and many references beyond me.
You’ve really invested in some rich lit crit! I hope to do my Map of Misreading video this winter. Bloom has two more books being published posthumously this year!
Leaf by leaf, I just discovered you, delighted! Your description helped me decide. Im actually a painter who loves literature and poetry, and I believe this will relate to maybe the roll of infuences and "mis seeing" in a way to make space for visual creativity.
Not Bloom's first published work by a long shot. His early work primarily focused on the English Romantic poets.
You're quite right. I should have been more specific about what I mean by "first work," but, in any case, I'm going to back up and do a video on Ringers in the Tower soon.
@@LeafbyLeaf I share your enthusiasm for Bloom's pure enthusiasm for the literary sublime. He is my teacher. My Shakespeare is Bloom's Shakespeare, and the rest follows. I enjoyed you video. Thank you.
Indeed, indeed. His has been a profound influence on me.
Discovered the Western Canon ages ago love his interview with Pen America
Excellent review as always. I have been watching Bloom’s interviews lately and what a scholar and critic he was. I ordered his ‘ Western Canon’ and will surely get these 3 influence books you recommended. Thanks.
He has been a major part of my literary development for sure. Glad you’re enjoying his passion and wisdom.
Another Aussie here who has just discovered your wonderful channel.
Bloom was extraordinary and he has challenged me to think more deeply about what I read. It’s his heart-on-his-sleeve love of literature I value most, perhaps. Sometimes I totally disagree with his judgements on particular works, including on Shakespeare, but even then he increases my enjoyment of the original works. He was imperfect and arrogant sometimes but that only makes him human.
Hello there, Aussie mate! Always a treat to welcome another from down under. (I’ve got Patrick White and Murnane on the way!)
Great words about Bloom. Certainly he was often provocative, and not always right (his dismissal of Infinite Jest, for example). But, like you said, he was perhaps the most passionate lover of literature I’ve witnessed. He truly absorbed and cherished literature. It was never a platform for something outside of literature, for him. One cannot fail to get excited about reading in Bloom’s presence. And, really, I think he realized that he had to be bombastic to reach the ears of those to whom he was really speaking.
Love from Australia! This is excellent well-researched content. I have been reading obsessively for a year now and Bloom has been a great guide for me.
G’day mate! (Sorry.) Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. Also great to hear that Bloom has been a sage for others!
I love Harold Bloom. May I recommend an interview on Book TV from their In Depth series. Took place in 2003 and three hours in length. I have watched a number of times and find it fascinating and educational. Great intro to Professor Bloom who passed away recently. Susan Swain conducted the interview and was wonderful. Finally, your channel is enjoyable and I will look forward to new additions.
Hello! Yes, I’ve watched that one several times as well as anything else I’ve been able to find. Seeing his house there in New Haven always fills me with whimsy. He will be missed, and I’m thankful for all the books he left behind.
Bloom is correct on "the school of resentment." Please take on Alan Bloom, "The Umaking of the American Mind."
I presume you mean the Closing of the American Mind. I read that one many years ago and it put me in such a bad mood. It's tough to face reality sometimes.
Not a criticism of you, but a beef with the academic world generally, and a word of support for Harold Bloom: I completely disagree with the current denigration of the Western canon. I’m told that Shakespeare is “out” because his prominence stems from “anglocentricity.” Rather than read him, I am supposed to turn to other writers with non-European or non-white backgrounds.
Leaving aside the fact that he wrote some of the most interesting women in literature, and leaving aside his obvious bisexuality, not to mention his thematic obsession with the fluidity of gender, I'm told to deemphasize him: after all, he is a white European male. He is likely slurred as “cis” as well, despite all the passages that explore gender dysphoria.
The figure sitting on the suspect throne of English literature is, funnily enough, profoundly engaged with the themes that our current moment is obsessed with. But this is still not enough: he should not be read.
Anyway, I love Shakespeare. I agree with the canon. He’s the best writer (in English) the world has ever had. Neo-Marxist ideas of “anglocentricity” have about as much relevance to me as a cow’s fart in Kansas.
Awesome pick! I'm just reading some excerpts about shakespeare during my Journey through all of shakespeare's plays!
Sounds great! Tell me about the excerpts and how the plays are going.
Glad ppl still read it - quite a mind
Me, too!
Very helpful!! I've liked and substituted.
Excellent! Welcome! So glad you got something out of the video. I need to post a video of his Map of Misreading soon.
can you please site the 6 ratio in names ? like kenosis for instance . T
hank you
well now I've got 3 books to buy lol. You're gonna have me buying a new bookshelf soon haha
On another note, I don't think anyone was ever calling for "absolute equality" as far as the Canon goes. Everyone knows there are Prousts and there are Tao Lins, Sapphos and Rupi Kaurs; it's a matter of simply /recognizing/ those excellent writers, maybe all the more so if they're minorities because it's so much more difficult for them to be heard among the centuries of white male voices and teachers who seldom teach minority authors. No one is asking for the promotion of a bad book just because it's written by a minority, because that's stupid. There are plenty of good books written by them, and they should be taught for their literary merit in addition to the justice of righting a grievous wrong that harms us all by not reading more diversely.
Excellent news! And you're welcome! As for the content--I agree with you fully. I was using hyperbole to highlight Bloom's stance, which is admitted contentious. Thanks for the substantive comments!
@@LeafbyLeaf oh phew, I was like "oh no, he's one of /those/!" lol
:-p
Excellent
May i ask you a bunch of personal questions? Are you married with Kids? How old are you? Thanks! I apologize for my curiosities! Above all this, you came back with an astounding book review! My congratulations! To be honest, hamlet's review was not so amazing as this one! You "bloom" me away! :-)
Haha! No problem. I am married and we have one child. “One and done!” Thanks for the compliments. Glad you enjoyed it!
Is it my misunderstanding or is there a version of Blooms Western Canon WITH the theocratic age chapter that includes the tragedies of ancient Greece? My 94 version starts at the aristocratic age.
To my knowledge there is no version of the book with a section dedicated to the Theocratic Age. In fact, Bloom explicitly references his omission in the preface. My version is the same as yours.
@@LeafbyLeaf Guess I can stop looking, thanks! Do you have any recommendation of an equivalent book that covers just the poetic canon?
For Bloom specifically, his The Best Poems of the English Language: From Chaucer Through Robert Frost is great. For (British) English verse, the Oxford Book of English Verse is great. But as far as a book that attempts to establish and expound a western canon for poetry in the same manner as Bloom’s 1994 book, I’m not sure. Plenty of histories and compendia, of course.
Bloom couldn't stomach Ezra Pound. 😎
He was also very critical of Thomas Stearns Eliot (as he condescendingly called him)--although he did love "La Figlia che Piange" (which I agree is beautiful).
Oh my, ordered Map of Misreading, Anxiety of Influence, Shakespeare Invention of the Human, and of course the Anatomy of Influence. God give me strength, these are NOT easy reads. I will persevere! But...yikes...dense and many references beyond me.
You’ve really invested in some rich lit crit! I hope to do my Map of Misreading video this winter. Bloom has two more books being published posthumously this year!
Leaf by leaf, I just discovered you, delighted! Your description helped me decide. Im actually a painter who loves literature and poetry, and I believe this will relate to maybe the roll of infuences and "mis seeing" in a way to make space for visual creativity.
Beautifully stated!
This isn’t even kind of his first book. This was almost 20 years into his academic career, and was written after a midlife depression
Very true. I should qualify it as first “major work” or something like that. Thanks for the corrective!
12:42 The six ratio life cycle of a poet
Ephebe has three syllables. It is a Greek word.
Thanks.
It's not his first book.
Yes, true. In my mind I was thinking in terms of public appeal. Still-a blunder to be sure.