Shakespeare on love and friendship

the long version

"William Shakespeare is the only classical author to remain widely popular - not only in America but throughout the world - and Allan Bloom argues that this is because no other writer holds up a truer mirror to human nature. Unlike the Romantics and other moderns, Shakespeare has no project for the betterment or salvation of mankind - his poetry simply gives us eyes to see what is there. In particular, we see the full variety of erotic connections, from the "star-crossed" devotions of Romeo and Juliet to the failed romance of Troilus and Cressida to the problematic friendship of Falstaff and Hal.". "These highly original interpretations of the plays convey a deep respect for their author and a conviction that we still have much to learn from him. In Bloom's view, we live in a love-impoverished age; he asks us to turn once more to Shakespeare because the playwright gives us a rich vision of what is permanent in human nature without sharing our contemporary assumptions about erotic love."--BOOK JACKET.