CerebralMix 2015-02-08: Ulysses Episode Six

Introduction

On CerebralMix 2015-02-08: Ulysses Episode Six, we focus on the Scylla and Chrybdis episode. This portion of the story focuses on Stephen Deadalus’s presentation of his theory of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Stephen looks to the more biographical elements of Shakespeare’s life and situation, and how they might be reflected in the play. This is stated with the unusual claim that Shakespeare is actually Hamlet’s Father (the ghost), instead of Hamlet himself as most people often interpret the play. Therefore, Hamlet would actually correspond to Shakespeare’s deceased son.

This theory does not impress John Eglinton or A.E. They insist that critical analysis of a work should be found within the work itself, and not within the life of the author of the work. They point to numerous flaws in Stephen’s theory, and have more fun with the informal presentation treating it as more of a discussion than a presentation of an analysis.

The off-handed treatment of Stephen’s theory, combined with being snubbed by A.E. in his compilation, his disdain for the Irish Literary Revival, and his disappointment in not being invited to the gathering at Moore’s house.

In all, the original Scylla and Charybdis part of the Odyssey is about Odysseus having to navigate between Scylla (a six headed monster on top of a cliff) and the Charybdis (a whirlpool). Stephen’s Hamlet theory could be seen as his navigation choice of venturing closer to the Scylla. However, this navigation is not solely about his Hamlet Theory, it is about the other snubs, questions of his own family, questions of his relationship to other characters. In all a multi-layered interpretation of the original Odyssey.

As always, the music is presented with tangential relationship to the narrative of the work being considered. For example, different representations of ghosts appear in the selections for this week. That’s about the closest (and most easily spotted) linkage between the narrative and the music as you will find within the show.

Readings

In the past I’ve actually included the text of the poems or stories as part of the show notes. In the case of Ulysses that would be a bit on the incredibly heavy side. Instead I have produced a guide: CerebralMix Ulysses Series that provides the references that I am using, along with a show guide to the whole broadcast of this series.