We will read as G.K. Chesterton takes on two different critical strains common to his era: biblical criticism and Shakespeare criticism. In “The Book of Job,"  Chesterton shows with his characteristic wit how biblical criticism, with its focus on authorship and the identity of the writer, misses the point and muddles the genre of scripture by treating it like a work of Shakespeare. In contrast to this, we will also look at Chesterton's criticism of then-contemporary Shakespeare criticism in “On Shakespeare," as questions about the Bard's identity or political leanings threatened to obscure enjoying Shakespeare for what it is.

This seminar is the first meeting of our Fall 2024 series on G.K. Chesterton. This session will be led by Anthony Hejduk (Columbia).

Please RSVP as lunch will be served.