The Comic Matrix of Shakespeare's Tragedies: "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," "Othello," and "King Lear" by Susan Snyder (review)

This study is a well-documented examination of Juan Huarte de San Juan and his only treatise, Examen de ingenios para las ciencias (1575), a work that caused a profound impact on many European theologians, grammarians, philosophers, and writers. Translated into all major European languages and Latin as well, the treatise is a fascinating compendium of ideas that explores such topics as humoral psychology, vocational guidance, innovative teaching methodology, and other psychological and physiological issues, to the extent that its scope and vision remain unparalleled in its time. However, in spite of such impressive contributions in the fields of scientific and technical thought, imaginative literature, and literary criticism and theory, Huarte de San Juan has remained obscure and has not attracted due critical attention. Professor Read has successfully assessed Huarte's brilliance and importance by writing this comprehensive work of Huarte's complex and unorthodox ideas about man and the world and showing how this Renaissance physician-intellectual addressed issues that continue to be currently relevant, especially those in the realm of psychology concerning individual differences, the creative process, and man's natural versus acquired ability (even Noam Chomsky has alluded to Huarte in his research on the innate linguistic mechanism of the human mind). Following the format of the Twayne World Author Series, Professor Read provides an informative biographical and historical commentary, followed by nine chapters that examine various facets of the Examen: the nature and identity of man, faith versus reason, pedagogical theory and practice, eugenics, dietetics, and so on. Chapter Nine discusses the far-reaching influence of the Examen in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, and the modern period. It is easy to agree with Professor Read that Huartean scholarship needs to be enhanced by additional studies. A short conclusion along with an up-to-date selected and annotated bibliography closes the study. Professor Read's study is a useful guide for specialists and also serves to make Huarte accessible to readers at large.