Comprehension Passage
Read the given extract and answer the following questions -
‘’The anxiety of influence is something quite different from the absurd notion of "influence" that contemporary criticism has reduced the history of literature to. To believe that Shakespeare or Milton can be explained by citing the textual influences that contributed to their greatness is to harbor an idealist delusion of a kind that embarrasses me. Shakespeare did not become Shakespeare by being influenced; he became Shakespeare by transcending, by thinking for himself.’’ ( Harold Bloom)
‘’The anxiety of influence is something quite different from the absurd notion of "influence" that contemporary criticism has reduced the history of literature to. To believe that Shakespeare or Milton can be explained by citing the textual influences that contributed to their greatness is to harbor an idealist delusion of a kind that embarrasses me. Shakespeare did not become Shakespeare by being influenced; he became Shakespeare by transcending, by thinking for himself.’’ ( Harold Bloom)
What is the "anxiety of influence" according to the given passage?
1
The fear of being influenced by others
2
The process of overcoming literary influence
3
The importance of being influenced by literary predecessors
4
The absurdity of contemporary literary criticism
5
Question Not Attempted