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)
How does Bloom suggest that Shakespeare achieved greatness as a writer, and what does this suggest about the nature of literary influence and originality?
1
By diligently studying the works of his predecessors and contemporaries
2
By carefully navigating the literary trends of his time
3
By overcoming the influence of his predecessors and creating something original
4
By building on the work of his contemporaries and pushing the boundaries of their ideas
5
Question Not Attempted