NPPF - Canto 4 Summary

[David Morris]

--- The Great Quail <quail at libyrinth.com> wrote:
> Lines 835-839 open the canto with Shade boasting that he will spy on beauty
and do what no one has yet done. This establishes a sort of mock-heroic tone,
for Shade is about to discuss himself.
[...]
>He then reflects on the titles of his previous works, finally beseeching Will
(Shakespeare) for a title: "Pale Fire." (line 962.)

Another take on his calling on "Will" would mean his own will, echoing the "I
will" declaratives of his failed intentions in the verses above.  After each
grand "I will" declaration he rambles on about the most mundane subject in the
world, his shaving routine.  This fits well with his subject matter: the
process of artistic creation.  Whether it be deliberate with pen and paper or
obsessive preoccupation in between sessions with pen and paper, what he seeks
most is inspiration, some illumination from outside his own will.

David Morris

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Yahoo! SiteBuilder - Free, easy-to-use web site design software
http://sitebuilder.yahoo.com