Translation, Critical, and Creative Reception of Shakespeare in Legacy of Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky

Abstract

This article examines the reception of William Shakespeare’s works in the creative output of writer, theorist, and historian of theater Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky (1887—1950). The relevance of the study is due to the insufficient research on the reception of Shakespeare’s works in Krzhizhanovsky’s legacy, as well as the interpretation of many unexplored, unpublished, or not yet introduced into scientific circulation materials on the topic. The novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive understanding of Shakespeare’s place in Krzhizhanovsky’s creative activity, including as a translator and theater critic. The list of Krzhizhanovsky’s Shakespearean works and speeches is clarified. Special attention is paid to introducing archival documents, including unpublished translations of Shakespeare’s songs, reports, and documents from various years by Krzhizhanovsky. Based on a number of documents, mentions of Krzhizhanovsky’s reports and projects, a summary table is compiled, including a list of 29 of his works (published, archival unpublished, and not yet discovered but mentioned in various sources), although at present it is believed that only 14 of his works have survived. It is proven that Krzhizhanovsky was a connoisseur and popularizer of Shakespeare, responding to his prose and drama, works on the history of theater and literature, theater criticism, as well as in translation activities.