Expression: on this side idolatry

[Haihao]

Hi,

Could you please help me with:

[Mister Micawber]

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No-- Eglinton is saying that he very much admires (almost to a state of idolatry-- this is hyperbole, of course) the character, Hamlet (rather than Shakespeare, I think). On this side (of) = almost; not quite.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[BlackLaval]

Mister Micawber is almost on the right, but not quite really. You're quoting from Joyce's Ulysses, so a literary context is required. The Old Ben Stephen is quoting in that sentence is, of course, Ben Jonson, the only one among Shakespeare's contemporaries who made an extended commentary upon him or his work. The full quote goes: "I loved the man, and do honour his memory on this side idolatry as much as any" and comes from Timber, a posthumous (1640) collection of literary reflections.
Yes, "on this side idolatry" means almost idolatry, as opposed to "on the other side idolatry," a profound admiration that doesn't cloud judgment and is able to see the little flaws in the person or thing admired, in this context, Shakespeare.
The expression has a special meaning in Shakespearean lore; when critics mentions it, they often are stating that they take Shakespeare's legacy with a fair dose of skepticism.
Another example of the expression in context:
"His admiration wasn't blemished by idolatry. He admired 'this side idolatry,' following Ben Jonson's rule."
(From Pedro Henríquez Hureña by Jorge Luis Borges,1960)