Tony Tanner (1935–1998)
Auteur de Jane Austen
A propos de l'auteur
Œuvres de Tony Tanner
Scenes of Nature, Signs of Man: Essays on 19th and 20th Century American Literature (1987) 11 exemplaires
Moby Dick 6 exemplaires
Henry James and the Art of Nonfiction (Jack N. and Addie D. Averitt Lecture, No. 4) (1995) 4 exemplaires
Oeuvres associées
Pride and Prejudice (The Cambridge Edition of the Works of Jane Austen) (1813) — Directeur de publication, quelques éditions — 80,573 exemplaires
Raison et sentiments (1811) — Introduction, quelques éditions; Directeur de publication, quelques éditions — 38,084 exemplaires
Mansfield Park (1814) — Introduction, quelques éditions; Directeur de publication, quelques éditions — 22,475 exemplaires
Granta 2: George Steiner, The Portage to San Cristobal of A.H. (1980) — Contributeur — 36 exemplaires
Étiqueté
Partage des connaissances
- Nom légal
- Tanner, Paul Antony
- Date de naissance
- 1935-03-18
- Date de décès
- 1998-12-05
- Sexe
- male
- Nationalité
- UK
- Lieu de naissance
- London, England, UK
- Lieux de résidence
- Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Études
- University of Cambridge (Jesus College)
Raynes Park County Grammar School - Professions
- English scholar
literary critic - Organisations
- University of Cambridge
- Prix et distinctions
- Harkness Fellowship
Fellow of King's College, Cambridge
Membres
Critiques
Listes
Vous aimerez peut-être aussi
Auteurs associés
Statistiques
- Œuvres
- 17
- Aussi par
- 10
- Membres
- 380
- Popularité
- #63,551
- Évaluation
- 4.1
- Critiques
- 7
- ISBN
- 51
- Langues
- 1
Tanner was of the old guard, and his work resounds with a respect for the creator's intention while also acknowledging the work as literature, as poetry, as a living, changing mass whose intention and effect will vary with each passing generation and audience. In this, he succeeds. Tanner elucidates the comedies, histories, tragedies, Greek and Roman plays, and finally romances, with a fine toothcomb. He intelligently plucks out lines for multiple meanings and sharp insights, while always acknowledging the basic necessities of analysing older material:
1) Not everything is intentional, no, but often the little moments reveal so much to us;
2) Even when elements are often unintentional, an artist (I can personally attest to this) may make connections unconsciously that later reveal themselves; and
3) Despite our best guesses, we can rarely - if ever - know what Shakespeare was thinking. He died 400 years ago. Let's accept that.
Within this framework, Tanner gives a gloriously old-school introduction to each one of Shakespeare's generally accepted plays.
Like any work, of course, there are elements that could be seen as flaws. Tanner is cannier (or at least, more clear) on some genres - the comedies and romances particularly - than perhaps in the tragedies and the Greek plays, but perhaps this is just because of the elements he has chosen to highlight. There are certain words and phrases he overuses, although these prefaces were not originally - or even, really, now for most readers - intended to be read together. His lack of providing footnotes and references could occasionally leave younger readers confused, as he may reference a literary or classical point without providing context. And - although it's not Tanner's fault - his archaic use of words (particularly verbs) would undoubtedly be perplexing to many readers. To me, that last one is a plus: I love that when Tanner says "of all Shakespeare's tragedies, this is the worst", he doesn't mean "play sux, y'all", he means "is most filled with a sorrow and grief that has no justification".
Fascinating stuff. And, at the end of the day, it's increasingly rare to read intelligent material that treats the reader as equal while discussing this greatest of playwrights. Tanner is an academic almost without bias, writing with fervour and passion for his subject. These prefaces - read in the larger context of Shakespearean scholarship - have a lot to teach us.… (plus d'informations)