Keynes said something to the effect that even one who claims to be uninfluenced by "philosophy," will have their whole belief system based on the principles of some great thinkers of the past. Methinks JRRRT didst protest too much.
But whether Tolkien really detested Shakespeare or no, I'm not sure is affirmed by one quote about something he found lame in MacBeth, which is tremendous but not flawless. Shakespeare was really footloose with history and legends, which Tolkien might not have liked much, and he probably would have preferred the more accurate history of the last truly Celtic King of the Scots, rather than Shakespeare's use of very entertaining myths later invented and favored by British political interests in his time.
Still, this is a great observation by Lush.
__________________
The hoes unrecked in the fields were flung, __ and fallen ladders in the long grass lay __ of the lush orchards; every tree there turned __ its tangled head and eyed them secretly, __ and the ears listened of the nodding grasses; __ though noontide glowed on land and leaf, __ their limbs were chilled.
|