“By and large, art both instructs and entertains us.”

George Anastaplo continues “It instructs us partly by entertaining us; it entertains us partly by instructing us.  We are likely to learn from that which amuses us; we are likely to enjoy that which seems to teach us something” (1).  This collection of essays is written not by a professor of literature, but by man called “the Socrates of Chicago” who was also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was fearless – when navigating B-17s during WW II, arguing in front of the Supreme Court, or writing books on a range of topics, including these essays on Shakespeare, Dickens and Twain.

Anastaplo, George. The Artist as Thinker: From Shakespeare to Joyce. Swallow Press, 1983.

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