Podcast Summary
The Power of Stories: Understanding Our World and Ourselves: Renowned scholar Stephen Greenblatt emphasizes the importance of stories in shaping our understanding of the world and ourselves, from ancient texts to modern literature.
Stories have the power to shape our understanding of the world and ourselves. Stephen Greenblatt, a renowned Shakespeare scholar and literary historian, emphasizes the significance of stories in our culture and history. From ancient texts like Lucretius' "On the Nature of Things" and the Bible's Book of Genesis to modern literature, stories have influenced how we perceive the world and our place in it. Greenblatt's work explores the origins of ideas and the role of the human imagination in shaping our worldview. Whether at a cocktail party or in a scholarly context, explaining the role of a literary scholar can be challenging, but Greenblatt simply states that he is a writer and historian, often specializing in Shakespeare. However, his work covers a much broader scope, including the origins of ideas and the power of stories.
Exploring the rich history and context of humanities: The humanities offer a profound connection to the past through literature, art, and music, providing valuable insights into the human experience.
The humanities, particularly literature, art, and music, represent some of the oldest and most enduring expressions of human existence. From cave paintings and handprints to musical instruments made from bone, these forms of communication have been a part of our species' life since the very beginning. As a literary scholar, one is interested in exploring the rich history and context behind these creations, which provides valuable insights into the human experience. The unique aspect of the humanities is that unlike other fields, there is no clear history of progress. The art and literature from thousands of years ago can still resonate with us today and offer a fascinating window into the past. This lack of a clear progression in the humanities allows us to maintain a profound connection with people and cultures that are vastly different from our own.
The profound connection to the past through art: Through art, we can experience a deep connection to the past that transcends historical context, and even without full understanding, we can learn something about ourselves and our responses to it.
Our connection to the past, especially through art, is both mysterious and profound. Historicism, the study of historical contexts, is important, but it doesn't fully explain why certain works of art from the past still resonate with us today. This resonance can be thought of as a kind of "astonishment" or a sense of being in touch with something that transcends historical context. Even when we have limited understanding of the historical or cultural circumstances that produced a work, we can still learn something about ourselves and our own responses to it. The new historicism acknowledges this ahistoricity of some texts and encourages us to explore how these works speak to us in the present. As Roger Shattuck, the author of "The Banquet Years," said, "The works reach you independent of historical understanding, but it remains fascinating to try to grapple with the meanings of the past."
Understanding the Past through the Lens of the Present: Exploring the past through the present can provide new insights and understanding of historical texts and events.
The past, as explored through literature and history, is not neutral but deeply connected to our present. For Marlowe scholar Stephen Greenblatt, a passage from John Saris' account of Sierra Leone resonated deeply with him in the 1970s due to its similarity to a violent scene from the Vietnam War that had recently been broadcast on television. This resonance was not just due to the present-day connection but also because it offered a key to understanding Marlowe's work. Greenblatt's approach to history, known as New Historicism, emphasizes the importance of understanding the past through the lens of the present and the interests of the historian. The past is not static but alive and can offer insights into our own world. This passage from Saris, seemingly insignificant and unrelated to Marlowe, became a crucial piece of the puzzle in unlocking the meaning of Marlowe's plays.
Exploring the connection between history and art: Understanding the historical and social contexts of art and historical texts deepens their significance. Examples from English history and Shakespeare's 'The Winter's Tale' illustrate this concept.
History and art are interconnected, and understanding their context is crucial. The discussion touched upon the historical exclusion of African Americans in Southern Italy, as well as the debate around the political significance of Shakespeare's works. It was emphasized that works of art and historical texts are not just pure beauty but are embedded in their social and political contexts. An example from English history was given, where the silence of the crowd during an execution held significant political implications. Similarly, Shakespeare's "The Winter's Tale" was performed before a large audience in London during the same year. These examples illustrate the importance of examining the historical and social contexts of both art and history to gain a deeper understanding of their significance. Now, let me switch gears and introduce you to Quip, the Good Habits company. If you're someone who needs a little nudge to maintain good dental hygiene, Quip's electric toothbrush and subscription service might be just what you need. With an ergonomic design, automatic timer, and regular refills, Quip makes it easy to maintain a healthy smile. Visit getquip.com/mindscape to get your first refill free.
Shakespeare's Perspective on Bad Rulers: Shakespeare's works offer insights into political climate and the complexities of bad rulers, revealing causes and potential solutions.
Art and politics have always been intertwined, but the way we perceive them can be different in various contexts. During the time of Shakespeare, expressing certain political views in public could lead to severe consequences, but the same is not true for art. The idea that art is a pure aesthetic experience and has nothing to do with politics is itself a political statement that served a particular purpose. Shakespeare's works, including his portrayals of tyrannical rulers, offer insights into the political climate of his time and our own. In writing about Shakespeare's perspective on bad rulers, the author learned about the causes of their rise and potential ways to overcome their rule without resorting to civil war. Shakespeare's unique ability to explore complex ideas and imagine new possibilities made him an exceptional artist, whose works continue to resonate with audiences today.
The newness of a medium inspires groundbreaking art: The freedom of a new medium can lead to innovative works of art, tackling taboo subjects and sparking important societal discussions
The newness and freedom of a medium can influence the creation of groundbreaking works of art. This was the case with the emergence of long form television series and the plays of Shakespeare in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At the time, there was a lack of a heavy censorship past, allowing artists to experiment and address taboo subjects in clever and subtle ways. Shakespeare, for example, made political and societal observations through his plays, tackling topics like same-sex love, perverse family structures, disobedience, and transgression. Over time, students respond differently to these works as societal norms and issues evolve. For instance, race and gender issues in Shakespeare's plays are now registered in a more powerful way compared to decades ago. However, it's important to remember that there have always been both good and bad artists in the field, and progress should not be seen as a linear concept. The enduring power of these works lies in their ability to challenge and provoke thought, regardless of the time period.
Understanding the historical context of problematic works: Acknowledge and understand the historical context of problematic works, as they reflect the values and consciousness of their time and provide valuable insights.
The interpretation and understanding of historical works, especially those with problematic themes like racism and sexism, is a complex issue. In the past, justifications for the acceptance of such themes in works like Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew" and "Merchant of Venice" were often based on denying the full humanity or validity of certain groups. However, these justifications are not only uncomfortable and disturbing, but they have an ugly history of being used to justify unjustified actions. Despite the discomfort, it's important to acknowledge and understand the historical context of these works and the impact they've had on subsequent history. For instance, the use of anti-Semitic tropes in "Merchant of Venice" is not innocent, as it contributed to the long-term treatment of Jews and the eventual Holocaust. Similarly, the representation of women in works like "Taming of the Shrew" reflects the values of their time and has influenced contemporary attitudes towards women. However, it's also important to remember that great artists like Shakespeare do not exist in a vacuum. They reflect the values and consciousness of their world, and their works can provide valuable insights into understanding and critically engaging with problematic themes. Denouncing and getting rid of these works won't eliminate the phenomenon itself, but rather, entering into a critical and nuanced dialogue with them can help us gain a deeper understanding of our past and present.
Exploring Language and Literature: Learning a new language with Babbel and delving into literature can broaden our horizons and deepen our understanding of the world and ourselves.
Learning a new language with Babbel can help you connect with people and cultures in a deeper way. The app, which is based on scientific methods and designed by language experts, can help you start speaking a new language in as little as three weeks. Traveling to France soon, the speaker shared how Babbel has helped them reconnect with the language and have more authentic experiences. For a limited time, Mindscape listeners can get up to 60% off a Babbel subscription at babbel.com/mindscape. Another topic touched upon was the influence of literature, specifically the story of Adam and Eve, on our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The story, which likely originated as an oral tale long before it was written down, has shaped our thinking about our place in nature and our origins. The speaker emphasized the importance of literature in helping us explore the depths of our past and gain new perspectives on ourselves. Additionally, the speaker mentioned that most stories from that time were likely passed down orally before being written down, and the first written records were used for practical purposes such as record keeping and trade. Overall, the conversation highlighted the power of language and literature in helping us connect with others and understand ourselves. Whether it's through learning a new language with Babbel or delving into the stories of our past, these tools can help us expand our horizons and deepen our understanding of the world.
From oral to written stories: The transition from oral storytelling to written records significantly impacted the development and preservation of stories, allowing for more effective transmission and shaping history and culture.
The transition from oral storytelling to written records significantly impacted the development and preservation of stories and cultural texts. The first written records, such as the Iliad, Odyssey, Gilgamesh, and the Bible, likely originated from oral tales. However, the extent to which these written records reflect the original oral stories is uncertain. The person who wrote down these stories may have added value or interpretation to the tales, and in the case of religious texts like the Bible, there may be multiple sources or contradictions. The motivation for recording stories in writing varied, from political and cultural purposes to religious beliefs in divine inspiration. Ultimately, the written word allowed stories to be preserved and transmitted more effectively, shaping the course of history and culture.
Exploring the power and enduring impact of ancient stories: Ancient stories, whether religious or literary, continue to captivate us due to their deep and complex themes, resonating with our cultural values and sparking debate
The ancient texts, despite their competing claims about creation and human origins, have produced powerful and enduring stories that resonate with us through the centuries. These stories, whether it's the tale of Adam and Eve or Shakespeare's retelling of classic plots, are more than mere decoration or entertainment. They are the heart of human culture, transmitting our deepest ideas and disturbing us with their power and complexity. Shakespeare, for example, took existing stories and added his unique twist, creating works that continue to captivate audiences and spark debate. The disturbing and troubling nature of these stories is what makes them great, and their enduring impact is both amazing and inevitable.
The stories of Adam and Eve and Lucretius challenge our understanding of humanity's origins and the concept of good and evil: Lucretius' naturalistic view contrasts with religious beliefs, questioning reality and human existence, while preservation of ancient texts reveals new insights into philosophical traditions
Both the story of Adam and Eve and Lucretius' poem challenge our understanding of the origins of humanity and the concept of good and evil. In the former, the prohibition against eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil raises questions about the nature of God and knowledge. In the latter, Lucretius presents a naturalistic view of the world, suggesting that humans did not begin in a magical garden but rather through accidental mutations in a struggle for existence. This contrasts with the traditional religious view and raises philosophical questions about the nature of reality and human existence. Additionally, the discussion highlighted the importance of preserving ancient texts, as many works from the Greek atomist tradition have been lost, but the survival of Lucretius' poem provides valuable insights into his philosophy. Furthermore, the use of modern technology to discover and read charred scrolls found in Pompeii has led to the discovery of more works by followers of Epicurus, shedding new light on this philosophical tradition.
Lucretius' philosophy on the impermanence of species: Lucretius believed all species, including humans, have a limited existence and that there's no afterlife or soul. This perspective freed people from fear of death and anxieties, impacting European intellectual thought.
According to Lucretius, the ancient Roman philosopher, all species, including humans, have a limited existence in this world. The environment and circumstances will eventually change, leading to the extinction of one species and the emergence of another. Lucretius believed that there is no afterlife or soul, and once we die, everything goes back to the natural order. This idea was considered radical during Lucretius' time and was not widely accepted due to the prevalent belief in a providential god. However, Lucretius saw this as good news, as it freed humans from the fear of death and the anxieties of missing out. This philosophy, while not initially effective as a therapy, has had a profound impact on European intellectual thought when it was rediscovered in the 15th century. Despite the scientific evidence supporting Lucretius' theories, it is still a debated topic in contemporary society. The idea that our eyes evolved not for seeing but for survival is still hard to grasp, but it highlights the randomness and natural order of the world.
The Evolution of the Eye: A Debated Topic in the Argument for Intelligent Design: The eye, a complex structure often used as evidence for intelligent design, has evolved independently in various species, leaving the deeper questions of consciousness, purpose, and existence unanswered.
The evolution of complex structures like the eye, which seems impossible to have emerged without purpose, has been a subject of ongoing debate and fascination. The eye, which is often used as an example of design in the argument for intelligent design, has actually been evolved independently in various species throughout history. However, the questions surrounding the meaning and purpose of existence, including the nature of consciousness and what happens after death, remain unanswered and continue to be relevant in the modern world. Steven Greenblatt, in the podcast discussion, acknowledged the importance of grappling with these complex questions.
