The Meaning of Shakespeare, Vol. 1 Book

This is one of the best books to read while going through Bard's plays. There other classics such as Hazlitt's on Shakespeare's characters, Bradley's on the great Shakespearean tragedies. And then there is always of course the good doctor (Dr. Johnson) and H. Bloom (Shakespeare: Invention of the Human).

The first two are not as comprehensive as this book; while it is impossible to really criticize Johnson I can say that it is too much of an effort to find his criticisms in different sources (I simply could not find a one volme compilation); finally for Bloom even though I like it a lot I find it too derivative and his comments sometimes too tangential to the topic (he talks on and on about what he calls the "Schools of resentment" (which is a term I loved by the way), New Historicists etc. ) and sometimes repetitive (about the Falstaff, Hamlet).

Goddard's book is invredibly useful. He gives one the imression that he really could get under the skin of Shakespeare. Not only his great comments about the plays but his ideas on democracy (when he is talking about Bottom in A midsummer night's dream), or plays (Hamlet, Henry the Fourth (wonderful comment about peace/war/play) )
, or individual vs. the crowd (Coriolanus) are unforgettable. He gives me the impression of a good old teacher (who is not a moralist) that you can talk about anything under the sun and you would not be able to surprise whatever you say since he knows human nature so. Such a refreshing persn such a refreshing book.

There are a few points that I do not agree with Goddard. Especially on his dislike of Mercutio and his sympathy towards Romeo; his comments about the end of King Lear that Cordelia actually lives (what do you actually mean Harold??? this does not make sense) .
Again if you are going to console yourself with Shakespeare at some point in your life keep this book handy. This could be one of the books that can change the way you look at life.