Образ Уильяма Шекспира в рассказе Э. Бёрджесса «Встреча в Вальядолиде»

Abstract

The research aims to shed light on the image of William Shakespeare as presented in A. Burgess’s story “A Meeting in Valladolid”. The lack of scholarly attention to this work, which has never been explored in either Russian or foreign literary studies, contributes to the scientific novelty of both the research itself and its results. The article analyzes the key features of Shakespeare’s image within the context of Burgess’s concept of the creative personality. The paper also examines the role of other characters in the story to fully understand the main character. The research concludes that Burgess recreates and expands upon his concept of William Shakespeare in “A Meeting in Valladolid”. While Burgess’s typical portrayal of Shakespeare as a pragmatic Englishman and gifted writer is present, the story also highlights the humanist dimension of the English playwright. This is achieved through a contrast between the two literary geniuses of the Renaissance, William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, and an exploration of the fundamental differences between Spanish and English cultures. These differences explain the clash between the two nations and their distinct cultural models, rooted in political, religious, and cultural conflicts between the nations.