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I reckon that actual professor was *well aware* of Shakespeare’s desires & such, but was trying to make their students aware of the problems of projecting modern identity categories onto Elizabethans.
If you think a professor of a given topic is saying something outlandish, maybe pause for a moment to wonder whether you’ve understood them—especially if they’re not your professor, and you’re coming to the ideas one or two steps removed.
Don’t get me wrong. Professors and other academics say some *outlandish shite*.
I’m just suggesting—a pause.
I’m just suggesting—a pause.
“Is a professional who’s dedicated part of their working life to this particular author likely to be unaware of that author’s sexuality or sexual context, or are they more likely to be saying something slightly different?”
Incidentally, and getting back to Shakespeare, sexuality isn’t the only possible ahistorical modern category.
You could ask very similar questions of philosophy itself. Would Socrates recognise what today’s academics do as “philosophy”?
You could ask very similar questions of philosophy itself. Would Socrates recognise what today’s academics do as “philosophy”?
You could well give a very persuasive argument for “yes”, but the point is that the continuity between classical Athens and modern university work can’t be taken for granted.
And with that: good evening and good night.
