And there was Lear too, problematic as all his tragic heroes, undermining our mistaken belief that tragedy underlines fallen greatness. Zia said it was the classicism of Shakespeare he had grown to live with. Writing in Government College journal The Ravi in 2013, Zia remembered an exchange with the novelist he revered. It was the understatement that would be the most difficult to teach; the Urdu couplet must have an un-doggerel, conversational rhythm. Just like Shakespeare who lived under the Reformation but would refuse to accept its religious fiat.

Source: Indian Express January 26, 2018 19:26 UTC