Did Shakespeare "pen some of the clumsiest lines in literature"?

[JamesEverton]

In this article:

http://books.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1 881157,00.html

John Sutherland claims that, "crap lines can be found in even the most revered places," and Macbeth is, "a veritable sea of crap."

Is he just saying something controversial to encourage us to read his article or does he have a point?

[mycats]

"Macbeth is a veritable sea of crap"??? What?? Jeesh, i'm sure this John Sutherlands work will still be getting read, studied and loved in hundreds of years time HA!

[jno]

well, it might be; he's an entertaining critic and I've enjoyed some of his books, such as this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Heathcliff-Murderer-Ni neteenth-century-Fiction-Classics/dp/019282516 X/sr=1-33/qid=1159561661/ref=sr_1_33/026-23538 42-2890846?ie=UTF8&s=books

He doesn't usually exaggerate to be controversial... but I suspect he has done so in this case, however.

[mightywease]

It's quite an amusing article - possibly a little tongue in cheek? - and as I spent the earlier part of this evening wondering how to interpret the line "Oh! oh! oh!" I am quite sympathetic at having to get to grips with some of Shakespeare's more elusive lines.

However, the silence in the rehearsal room at some of the scenes, in particular, "Turn Hell-Hound turn", is testement to the strengh of Shakespeare's writing. And, to paraphrase the Porter, gives the lie to John Sutherland.