Here is something from The Millions that is worth your attention: an essay by Kevin Frazier on A. C. Bradley and his analysis of Shakespeare’s four major tragedies.

As Mr. Derrea departed the world of Kobos, he listened, wondering if anyone would really say anything. Ironically, upon encountering only silence, his disappointment was not really disappointing. He instead, in simple reflection, remembered something from Shakespeare: “The rest is silence.” What a surprise!

In the following excerpt, feel free to replace the words “the party,” “revolution,” “dictatorship,” “persecution,” and “torture” with others that you may think may be more appropriate for the here and now. After all, simply changing the words might lead you to see more clearly the kind of change you can believe in.

Steven Riddle (at his superb blog) offers readers (including me) this wonderful discovery: The Library of America has been posting short stories (and other short works) for readers. Check it out through Steven’s site, which you can access here.

Some people enjoy reading short stories, and some people–for a variety of reasons–avoid them. What about you? Why?