"Bol'še šekspirizirovat'" (di S. Dinamov) [11-03-1933] - [D087]

Concise description of the directive:

Marx and Engels considered Shakespeare a great realist. They warn against Schiller’s writing, against solemn declamations, the schematisation of reality, idealistic distortion and the replacement of real life by illusory fantasies. Although Shakespeare’s style does not have formal characteristics of realism, Shakespeare does not have an idealistic worldview like Schiller; the very nature of his art is realistic. The scholasticism and Christian perversions of the Middle Ages are alien to Shakespeare. Shakespeare frees himself from the constraints of religion and becomes human (Engels). Marx calls for “more shakespearianism”. For Soviet writers, this means being able to find vivid and realistic images, suitable for expressing the development and movement of reality; to be in the present moment while growing towards the future; to keep up with the most progressive ideas of the time; to possess the science, culture and doctrine of Marx-Engels and Lenin-Stalin; to fight for one’s class, providing it with the weapon of art. Shakespearianism means seeking new and powerful forms of art by renouncing vain ornamentalism.