Yeah, a few people have mentioned these as low points. But I really liked them.
Reminds me of some of the stuff I enjoy in Umberto Eco's historical novels where he dives deep into some historical worldview, often one we now know is wrong, though I think in this case Melville was relating the current state of the art of his age, but both do so quite poetically.
Some of the cod-Shakespearean bits were a bit more of a drag for me. Something for everyone maybe.
Reminds me of some of the stuff I enjoy in Umberto Eco's historical novels where he dives deep into some historical worldview, often one we now know is wrong, though I think in this case Melville was relating the current state of the art of his age, but both do so quite poetically.
Some of the cod-Shakespearean bits were a bit more of a drag for me. Something for everyone maybe.