Page "Aesthetics" Paragraph 76

Art can be difficult at the metaphysical and ontological levels as well as at the value theory level.

When we see a performance of Hamlet, how many works of art are we experiencing, and which should we judge?

Perhaps there is only one relevant work of art, the whole performance, which many different people have contributed to, and which will exist briefly and then disappear.

Perhaps the manuscript by Shakespeare is a distinct work of art from the play by the troupe, which is also distinct from the performance of the play by this troupe on this night, and all three can be judged, but are to be judged by different standards.