http://webplus.zju.edu.cn/sischinese/2019/0408/c12574a1155399/page.psp
Eighteenth Lecture by Research Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies Rounded Off
On April 3, 2019, Prof. Igor Shaytanov, a distinguished Russian literary theorist, critic and expert on Shakespeare studies, made an academic lecture “Shakespeare in 20th-Century Russia” in the meeting room No. 201, East Building 5. Co-organized by Research Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies of the School of International Studies (SIS) and Institute of Russian Language and Culture, and presided by Prof. Fang Fan, the lecture attracted 20-odd students and teachers including Prof. Hao Tianhu, Associate Prof. Zhou Lu, Doctor Hu Maosheng from Zhejiang Gongshang University and Clayton Stromberger, American visiting scholar on Shakespeare studies.
As Director of Teaching and Research Section on history of comparative literature of Historical-Philological Faculty of Russian State University for the Humanities, Prof. Igor Shaytanov is an expert on Shakespeare studies, and explored profoundly literary history of the UK and Russia from nineteenth to twentieth century. At beginning, Prof. Shaytanov outlined contents of his lecture including influence of Shakespeare on European culture especially Russian culture, reasons for the popularity of Shakespeare’s sonnet in Russia and arguments on Shakespeare among Russian scholars and readers.
Prof. Shaytanov indicated that the huge impact of Shakespeare on Europe in 18th century stemmed from liberation of mind and consideration of national identity promoted by national consciousness reflected in his dramas, which was later demonstrated by him with examples in The Merchant of Venice and The Life and Death of Julius Caesar.
Then, Prof. Shaytanov talked about the translation or adaption of Shakespeare’s masterpieces by Queen Catherine Ⅱ, poet Aleksandr Sumarokov, Nikolai Karamzin and Pushkin. By an analysis of denial from Tolstoy to Shakespeare in nineteenth century, he deemed Shakespeare’s understanding of human psychology more penetrating than that of Tolstoy.
Next, focusing on the sonnets of Shakespeare, Prof. Shaytanov illustrated their form and the translation by Samuil Marshak, and delivered an elaborate interpretation of sonnet No. 130. He mentioned that after the decline of Stalin era in twentieth century, Shakespeare’s tragedy Hamlet won great success on its debut, which marked the arrival of a new era in Russia.
At the end of the lecture, Prof. Shaytanov answered questions from students and teachers present, benefiting them a great deal. The lecture rounded off in applause.
Research Center of Medieval and Renaissance Studies
Institute of Russian Language and Culture
Written/photo by Feng Juechu
April 8, 2019
Translated by Liu Liu and Li Qian
Edited by Xu Xueying
