Shakespeare and Cigars
During the past few weeks my son has been reading Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream” in high school. As a freshman this class is really his first experience with literary analysis. In middle school they focused much more on “what does it mean to you.” Now they are focusing on “What does it mean?”
Now as an English major in college and devoted bibliophile, I love books and stories — great literature and popular pulp. My kids know when they have a question about all things literature I am an OK place to start. A couple days ago my son wonders into my office and sits on my desk. (His “I want to talk but you have to start” position.”
“Hey sweetie, what’s up?”
“Nothing”
“How’s school?”
“Mom I have a question. It’s about english class. Why does everything have to be analyzed to death? Can’t something have been written just for enjoyment? How do we know what somebody meant way back then anyway?”
“We don’t always, at least not in Shakespeare’s case. There are no original manuscripts with author notes and there are a lot of people who aren’t even sure he wrote…”
“Mom, I don’t mean that. Why does my teacher make us analyze everything we read for hidden meanings and societal impact (air quotes around societal impact!)? I think Shakespeare wrote this play just to be entertaining. Isn’t that an ok analysis?”
I have to admit he has a point. And the more I thought about it the more I have wondered why something can’t just be. Who do we look for the hidden meaning in everything? Is every piece of art or music or literature a commentary on society? Does every speech, conversation or answer to a question mean more than the mere words indicate? If you listen to the news you hear way too much interpretation of an action or a behavior. “If he said it like this he must have meant that.” Has man always tried to find the deepest meaning in life and never been able to appreciate something “just because?” I thought this was a great question to ponder and discuss…My senses sharpened, my arguments formed, my facts hovered at the forefront of my mind…
“Share this very question with your english class. Share your perspective that the play was written for pure enjoyment. Stand up for the idea that sometimes a cigar is just a cigar!”
“Huh?”
Then I sent him to his father who minored in psychology.