ウェールズ再発見(その1) : シェイクスピアとトマス・グレイの見たウェールズとウェールズ人

Abstract

Thomas Gray wrote "The Bard" and slightly showed his favour to Wales and its people in the poem just as Shakespeare did so in King Henry IV part I and King Henry V. The poem is now thought to be one of the ealiest masterpieces indicating the coming age of romanticism, though Samuel Johnson criticised the poem relentlessly. "The Bard" played an important role not only in the history of English literature but also in the process of true understanding of Wales and its culture by the English. Gary's translation of ancient Welsh poetry also made another contribution to the English evaluation of Welsh literature and history.