King compared to Shakespeare? It's about time.
- Thread starter Christine62
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Interesting article. I guess I've never even considered that angle, but why not? Started The Mist on FX last night but had to stop it due to other family commitments. Gotta say that I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far.
....Steve and The Bard?....why not?......they are both enduring writers/creators....their themes are timeless....and they appeal to the common man.....
huh, 4 releases this year and yet they didn't mention the mr. mercedes show. didn't even know about this castle rock hulu thing they're discussing
Christine62
If we're talking likeability, then yeah, but other than that, I think that's quite a leap. Even Stephen King, I bet, would laugh at this idea. Don't get me wrong, I understand the tenor of the article but when I think of Shakespeare I think of Chaucer, Milton, and Marlowe. The writer of this piece only casually connects them, anyway. Both writers are certainly popular and prolific.
I do like how King echoes supernatural themes that Shakespeare often explored. I mean, is Pascow appearing to Louis Creed that much different than Banquo haunting a guilty Macbeth? I suppose not.
If we're talking likeability, then yeah, but other than that, I think that's quite a leap. Even Stephen King, I bet, would laugh at this idea. Don't get me wrong, I understand the tenor of the article but when I think of Shakespeare I think of Chaucer, Milton, and Marlowe. The writer of this piece only casually connects them, anyway. Both writers are certainly popular and prolific.
I do like how King echoes supernatural themes that Shakespeare often explored. I mean, is Pascow appearing to Louis Creed that much different than Banquo haunting a guilty Macbeth? I suppose not.
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I consider Stephen King to be our generations Dickens. Dickens wrote about ordinary people doing ordinary things back in the day so if you want to know what life was like back then all you have to do is open one of his books. It's the same with Steve's novels- it's all there.
That's so true. Stephen King will be one of the writers remembered for best documenting the zeitgeist of his lifetime.
For me, though, I think John Irving is the closest analog to Dickens.
Agreed on both counts. What did you think of A Prayer for Owen Meaney?
I have often thought that King used Irving as a muse of sorts, even though they are contemporaries, I see parallels.
As far as analyzing King's work through a Shakespearean lens:
Hamlet (elements of Macbeth)---The Shining
It's a rough comparison, but it does work. The tragic characters, the paternal struggle between fathers and sons, the ghosts Heck the little girls and the topiary creatures might as well be witches, or Tony for that matter!
I'm now thinking of cross overs with Macbeth.
The tragic element is there, the guilt/blood imagery.
Now I'm thinking about Ophelia and Carrie. Carrie certainly went another way with her adolescent crisis, but the commonalities are there.
I loved it. I had so many emotions while reading and laughed out loud numerous times. Irving is a genius at executing thoughtful, tragi-comic novels that explore controversial subjects without becoming too didactic.
He constructs solid stories with the detail and assurance of a master builder creating cathedrals. I'm in awe of his writing prowess, frankly.
The Bard and the King. Now there's a thought. Consider the following "plays" by
Sir Stephen:
The Dark Tower Falleth Not
Twelfth Nightmares
A Comedy of Terrors
Much Ado About Cujo
As You Like, It
The Not-so-Merry Wives of Bangor
Anthony and Cleopatra and Carrie and Christine
The Tempest: Storm of the Century
Sir Stephen:
The Dark Tower Falleth Not
Twelfth Nightmares
A Comedy of Terrors
Much Ado About Cujo
As You Like, It
The Not-so-Merry Wives of Bangor
Anthony and Cleopatra and Carrie and Christine
The Tempest: Storm of the Century
Why, thank you.That is awesome!!
Words right out of my mouth.
The Bard did things with language that are mind boggling to this day, King does this with story but not so much language. That isn't meant to take anything away from King's writing, he's damn fine writer and my favorite, but 500 years from now I don't think it is as likely that people will be mystified by King's word choice and word creation. A think people will still be reading King and even studying him academically, it'll just be different.
Anyone know is King a Willy Shakes fan, I can't recall ever coming across anything one way or the other.
I'd add that a case could be made for Uncle Stevie being this generation's Mark Twain, too.
Another good comparison, Good writer, likable, relatable, a celebrity author. I just wish Mr. King did more public speaking tours like Twain.
I'm still contemplating whether or not to go see him and Owen in Chicago. I'm 2.5-3 hrs a way and I would have to bust out early after my last core class. I never miss school especially for something fun. I have to pull the trigger quick one way or the other.
His books are already being used in college courses.
Right, was aware, but I think in the future we'll look at cultural impact among other things and that it will be wider spread. But it deserves to be there in the classroom. I believe that 100%.
I love to take a Dark Tower class that examined the interconnectedness of King's work.
I find him to be more like Steinbeck. He doesn't have Twain ' s side eye humor (at least not in print). I also think he's quite like Alcott.