BOOKS AND COUNTERBOOKS

‘A book which does not contain its counterbook is considered incomplete’, wrote Borges, describing the books of ‘Tlön’ which invariably include ‘the rigorous pro and con of a doctrine’. This also seems a strikingly accurate account of Shakespeare’s plays and poems. Possibly because his strongest case in favour of something is, characteristically, countered by the best possible arguments against it – and vice versa – Shakespeare often seems to confront us with the very books and counterbooks of life itself. This, of course, has provided critics with countless subjects for fruitful speculation. But it poses grave difficulties for those who attempt to interpret his works in terms of a single doctrine or one-sided theory. And there is always the danger of mistaking a counter-argument for the main one. Several recently published books, as well as certain articles which will be considered later on, may serve to illustrate these points.