Norman Rabkin has a wonderful theory about Henry V called “Rabbit Duck” theory about how Henry (or Prince Hal, if you’re only up to Henry IV) is quite dualistic. You can either read him as a villain, Machiavellian mastermind…or “the mirror of all Christian Kings”.
So, why does understanding this matter? Well it broadens your sense of the character, and deepens and complexes Henry’s persona. It makes you re-read, and doubt, and wonder. It makes you a better reader, a more engaged reader.
Close reading allows you to peel back the onion that is literature. This de-layering allows for a deeper comprehension of the work itself. So, not only do you get the delicious pleasure of escaping into a new world, but it might also help you get to the “why” of the work – why was this created, beyond just entertainment ourposes.
Close reading sounds intensive, but really it is just something you can teach yourself. Just like being a good listener, being a good close reader requires noticing, understanding what (and why) you’re noticing, and figuring out how to explain what you’ve noticed and understood about the text.
Instead of just reading to escape, y0u can read to actively learn. So, why not start?
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