COL 49 Chapter 4 Starters

[calbert at hslboxmaster.com]

> I'm no expert on these revenge plays. 

You might be today, but for my ADD.....

your suspicions are well grounded...the Civil war, alluded to by P. 
is indeed on the horizon......what is on its way out is a curious mix 
of monarchy and welfare state. At around the turn of the century, 
social conditions in ENgland were sufficiently perilous that 
ELizabeth proceeded to institute programs for the alleviation of 
poverty and the reduction of illiteracy....Curiously, these efforts 
were intended to MAINTAIN the status quo, to wit, the "feudal" 
caste system I discussed before.....

With regard to politcal relevance - absolutely.....one of the points I 
think P is trying to make is that what the world, for the most part 
credits to Shakespeare, is, in fact owed in greater amount to 
people like Kyd, Marlowe and Middleton. THink of these plays as 
combining classical tragedy, obscene burlesque, and 
social/politcal satire......It is no coincidence that the authors toiled 
largely in anonymity, credit could have been fatal.....Bear in mind 
that Kyd was hauled up on some kind of blasphemy charge, only 
saving himself by giving up his close pal Marlowe....

love,
cfa

love,
cfa