Shakespeare Our Contemporary by Jan Kott
- 1. In 'Shakespeare Our Contemporary,' Jan Kott presents a thought-provoking analysis of William Shakespeare's works, arguing that they resonate powerfully with modern audiences and reflect contemporary realities. Kott, a Polish theater critic and scholar, delves into the themes of power, madness, and the human condition as depicted in Shakespeare’s plays, suggesting that they transcend time and speak directly to the dilemmas faced by individuals and societies today. Through his meticulous examination, Kott highlights the dark and often absurd nature of Shakespeare's characters and narratives, drawing parallels to 20th-century existentialism and political strife. He emphasizes that Shakespeare's insights into human nature remain relevant, as they explore complex relationships, moral ambiguity, and the consequences of ambition and desire. The book not only serves as a critical guide to understanding Shakespeare's genius but also invites readers to reconsider how Shakespeare’s works can inform our understanding of current social and personal issues, making them truly our contemporary.
What is the central thesis of Jan Kott's 'Shakespeare Our Contemporary'?
A) Shakespeare should only be performed in original Elizabethan style
B) Shakespeare anticipated Freudian psychoanalysis
C) Shakespeare's plays reflect modern existential and political struggles
D) Shakespeare's works are primarily historical artifacts
- 2. What does Kott emphasize about the structure of Shakespeare's histories?
A) The comic relief
B) The Grand Mechanism of power succession
C) The supernatural elements
D) The romantic subplots
- 3. Which play does Kott use to discuss the absurdity of history?
A) The Tempest
B) A Midsummer Night's Dream
C) Richard III
D) Romeo and Juliet
- 4. What modern philosophical movement influences Kott's reading of Shakespeare?
A) Existentialism
B) Positivism
C) Structuralism
D) Romanticism
- 5. Which production was directly influenced by Kott's interpretation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
A) Broadway 1965 revival
B) Peter Brook's 1970 production
C) Royal Shakespeare Company 1968
D) Laurence Olivier's film version
- 6. What does Kott call the repetitive pattern of power in Shakespeare's histories?
A) The Grand Mechanism
B) The Divine Cycle
C) The Royal Pattern
D) The Wheel of Fortune
- 7. Which modern writer does Kott frequently compare to Shakespeare?
A) Samuel Beckett
B) James Joyce
C) T.S. Eliot
D) Virginia Woolf
- 8. How does Kott interpret the forest in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'?
A) As a dark, primal realm of desire
B) As a purely magical place
C) As a Christian allegory
D) As a political metaphor
- 9. Which concept from modern theater does Kott apply to Shakespeare?
A) Naturalism
B) Expressionism
C) Theatre of the Absurd
D) Epic Theatre
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