Shakespeare and Marx, the writer and the society.Translated by E. Koltaevskaya
The work touches on the popular concept of the relationship between society and the writing process, suggesting the relevance of certain ideas stemming from Karl Marx for the study of the Shakespearean legacy. Marx’s idea that creative potential shines at its best in society, and that personal freedom emerges through interconnectedness of individuals, rings new and up to date in the modern world and for Shakespearean studies in particular. Through examples taken from Shakespeare’s plays and examination of professional organization of literary research in the form of academic journals and international associations, this paper argues that the Marxist image of society helps to consider literary creativity from a new viewpoint. Invoking the latest discoveries in the feld of Shakespeare biography and professional practices, especially his extensive collaboration with other playwrights, the article demonstrates how ideas of the two great thinkers and writers, Shakespeare and Marx, interact in the sphere of the best contemporary literary-critical practices.