Letter: Bovine Bard
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Harold Bloom's arrogance seems limitless. Referring to the reception of a talk he gave at Oxford University last week he is quoted as saying, "I watched the faces of my audience as I delivered this and saw blank incomprehension. I had a vision of an airplane flying over cows in a meadow." (Books Interview, 6 March)
My bewilderment at Mr Bloom's argument was, it would appear, a product of my sheer ignorance. Of course, the fact that Mr Bloom delivered his speech, or rather simply read from his recent book, in a monotonous and uninspiring drone could have played no part.
If Falstaff really is "the mortal god of my imaginings", Mr Bloom should return to Shakespeare's text and try to learn a thing or two from his hero's rhetorical performance. Meanwhile, I think it would be preferable for me and my fellow bovine students to keep to the grass-roots of Shakespeare rather than indulge in an arrogant flight of fantasy.
BEN SANDERSON
St Catherine's College
Oxford
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments