Shakespeare Electronic Conference, Vol. 4, No. 834. Thursday, 24 November 1993.
 
From:           Nancy W Miller <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date:           Tuesday, 23 Nov 93 10:40:37 EST
Subject: 4.0822  Re: History and Literature
Comment:        Re: SHK 4.0822  Re: History and Literature
 
In reply to Jim McKenna,
 
I do not mean to advocate the "abandonment" of distinctions between (or the
"equivalency" of) non-literary and literary texts.  This oversimplifies the
process somewhat.  I may have overstated my position in order to make my case.
What I DO advocate is the recognition that this "history" that we all enjoy as
a means into a work of literature is itself a text that mediates material
conditions and must undergo the process of interpretation.  I have enough
interest in rhetoric to accept the idea that occasion, purpose, and audience
are important factors in determining that interpretation (a nod to Bill
Godshalk here).  For the record, I do not necessarily "equate" *Shrew* with the
"Homily on the State of Matrimony."  I read the "Homily" to illuminate *Shrew*
because literature is my primary interest, but I keep in mind two points: 1)
the illumination could certainly work in reverse if I chose to focus my study
that way; and 2) the "Homily" cannot be blindly accepted as factual historical
material.  Does this help to bring our positions slightly closer together?
 
N. Miller

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