Sam Lien

Sam Lien asked Erik Didriksen:

In your opinions, how are family relationships portrayed differently in King Lear and Hamlet? Thank you!

Erik Didriksen Lear strikes me as the more realistic and more tragic depiction of family relationships. The plot of Hamlet hinges on Claudius being essentially evil: he murders his own brother simply as a power grab. Lear, on the other hand, doesn't have an evil plan; he's (way over)reacting to his pride being wounded. While the plot of King Lear is just as full of terrible things as Hamlet's (including the thematically-parallel sororicide), it feels rooted in the devolving situation as much as the maleficence of the characters.

All I know is I'm glad I'm not in either one of those families!

More Answered Questions

Sally Kilpatrick

Sally Kilpatrick asked Erik Didriksen:

I noticed you have new sonnets on your tumblr (I especially cracked up at Mambo #5), are you planning to compile another book? If so, are you looking at country? For some reason "Friends in Low Places" seems like an interesting candidate.

Cheryl

Cheryl asked Erik Didriksen:

I realized this week that you hadn't posted any new sonnets lately. Have you stopped writing them? I enjoy your work and I'd love to see more.

Cynthia Shannon

Cynthia Shannon asked Erik Didriksen:

Congrats on the Choice Award nominations! What will you do if you win?

All answers from Erik Didriksen…

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