Ulysses - Chapter 8
Ulysses - Capítulo 8
In the National Library, Stephen engaged in heated debate with Dublin's literary establishment. They discussed Shakespeare, arguing about the playwright's life and the meaning hidden in his works. Stephen presented his theory about Hamlet, claiming Shakespeare had written himself into the play.
Na Biblioteca Nacional, Stephen debatia calorosamente com as figuras literárias influentes de Dublin. Discutiam Shakespeare, argumentando sobre a vida do dramaturgo e os significados ocultos em suas obras. Stephen propôs uma teoria sobre Hamlet, alegando que Shakespeare se escrevera na peça.
"The father is the ghost," Stephen argued passionately. "Shakespeare was both Hamlet and the murdered king. He was cuckolded by his brother, just as the king was murdered by his."
"O pai é o fantasma," Stephen argumentou apaixonadamente. "Shakespeare é tanto Hamlet quanto o rei assassinado. Assim como o rei foi morto pelo irmão, ele foi traído pelo irmão com sua esposa."
The librarians and scholars listened skeptically. Stephen's theory was unconventional, challenging accepted interpretations. But he defended it vigorously, marshaling evidence from Shakespeare's biography and the plays themselves.
Os bibliotecários e estudiosos ouviam com ceticismo. A teoria de Stephen era não convencional e desafiava as interpretações comuns. Mas ele a defendia vigorosamente, reunindo evidências da biografia de Shakespeare e do próprio texto.
Buck Mulligan burst into the library, disrupting the serious discussion with his usual theatrical flair. He mocked Stephen's theory, making jokes and drawing attention to himself. The others laughed, grateful for the relief from intense intellectual debate.
Buck Mulligan invadiu a biblioteca, interrompendo a discussão séria com seu tom teatral habitual. Ele zombou da teoria de Stephen, fazendo piadas e chamando a atenção para si. Os outros riram, gratos pelo alívio da tensão intelectual.
Stephen felt his anger rising but controlled it. Buck always did this, always undermined him in public. Their friendship, if it could be called that, was built on Buck's dominance and Stephen's resentment.
Stephen sentiu raiva, mas se conteve. Buck era sempre assim, fazendo-o parecer tolo na frente dos outros. A amizade deles, se é que se podia chamar assim, baseava-se no domínio de Buck e no ressentimento de Stephen.
The discussion continued, ranging over literature, philosophy, and art. These men were Dublin's intellectuals, its cultural elite. Yet Stephen felt disconnected from them, unable to truly belong to their circle. His poverty set him apart, as did his uncompromising artistic vision.
A discussão continuou sobre literatura, filosofia, arte. Esses homens eram a intelectualidade de Dublin, a elite cultural. Mas Stephen se sentia alienado, incapaz de realmente fazer parte do grupo. Sua pobreza o isolava, assim como sua visão artística intransigente.
As the afternoon wore on, Stephen grew restless. He had said what he came to say, presented his theory for their consideration. Whether they accepted it or not mattered little. He would continue his work regardless, following his artistic conscience wherever it led.
Quando a tarde avançou, Stephen começou a ficar inquieto. Ele dissera o que precisava dizer, oferecera sua hipótese para consideração. Se eles aceitariam ou não, pouco importava. Ele seguiria sua própria consciência artística, onde quer que ela o levasse.
Leaving the library, Stephen felt both exhilarated and exhausted. The intellectual combat had energized him, but also reminded him of his isolation in Dublin's literary world.
Ao sair da biblioteca, Stephen sentiu-se revigorado e exausto. A batalha intelectual lhe dera energia, mas também o lembrara de sua solidão no mundo literário de Dublin.