WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE; A Critical Study by Brandes, George - 1899

New York: The Macmillan Company, 1899. First Single-volume American Edition. Cloth. Fine/None. 8vo, original publisher's maroon cloth with gilt spine lettering and blind-stamped rulings on front cover, xii + 708 pages. Georg Brandes (1842-1927), born Morris Cohen, was a brilliant Danish critic and scholar who greatly influenced Scandinavian and European literature from the 1870s through the early 20th century. He sparked the "Modern Breakthrough" of Scandinavian culture. He emphasized realism and naturalism, condemning hyper-aestheticism and fantasy. His literary theories were also shared by the great Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. A brilliant study of the Bard by Brandes which is in Exceptional Condition! A two-volume edition was published in 1898.