We discussed this quote by Robert Alter yesterday in my Spanish Lit class:
“To call King Lear literature and categorically deny that classification to the most cleverly spray-painted inscription on a wall is to recognize that two drastically different orders of communication are going on in the two ‘texts’ in question, that of Lear being not only infinitely richer, infinitely more complicated and more pleasurable, but also recognizably allied with the order of communication that takes places in a very large and variegated body of texts we confidently identify as literature.”
I'm not going to argue that King Lear and graffiti are the same thing because they most certainly are not but to say that King Lear is "infinitely richer" or "infinitely more complicated" than graffiti is absolutely ridiculous. I couldn't help but think of the "cleverly spray-painted inscription[s] on a wall" that touched me more than Shakespeare ever will. This is the separation wall that Israel is building around the West Bank. It separates families, friends and neighbors and makes me very sad and angry.
These images are definitely "infinitely richer" and "infinitely more complicated" than King Lear could ever hope to be.
These images are definitely "infinitely richer" and "infinitely more complicated" than King Lear could ever hope to be.
2 comments:
While I'm not sure graffiti can be richer or more complicated than Shakespeare, I do agree that it has its own depth and beauty. Especially graffiti like what you displayed.
So yes and no...I agree and disagree with you. :-)
But I think that graffiti is often a misunderstood art when placed in an appropriate location. too often messages like these are ignored.
Amen. I was listening to Jerusalem while reading this...thats about all there is to say about that, Amen. My Dad told me about your e-mail to him, and how I was being condemned. BOO LISA:)
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