An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare: Compared with the Greek and French Dramatic Poets; with Some Remarks Upon the Misrepresentations of Mons. de VoltairePriestley, 1810 - 296 pages |
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Page x
... plays are little more ) is no difficult matter ; for of every art perhaps , and in poetry without dispute , that is the easiest part in which the connoisseur can direct the artist . I do not suppose the critic imagined that a mere ...
... plays are little more ) is no difficult matter ; for of every art perhaps , and in poetry without dispute , that is the easiest part in which the connoisseur can direct the artist . I do not suppose the critic imagined that a mere ...
Page xiv
... plays are written with the most noble , elegant , and uncorrupted simplicity . Such is his merit , that , the more just and refined the taste of the nation is become , the more he has increased in reputation . He was approved by his own ...
... plays are written with the most noble , elegant , and uncorrupted simplicity . Such is his merit , that , the more just and refined the taste of the nation is become , the more he has increased in reputation . He was approved by his own ...
Page xvii
... plays were to be acted in a paltry tavern , to an unlettered audience , just emerging from barbarity : the Greek tragedies were to be exhibited at the public charge , under the care and auspices of the magistrates , at Athens ; where ...
... plays were to be acted in a paltry tavern , to an unlettered audience , just emerging from barbarity : the Greek tragedies were to be exhibited at the public charge , under the care and auspices of the magistrates , at Athens ; where ...
Page 11
... plays idly on the surface of the subject , and makes the poet , who should be concealed in the action , visible to the spectator . In many works of art , our pleasure arises from a reflection on the art itself ; itself ; and in a ...
... plays idly on the surface of the subject , and makes the poet , who should be concealed in the action , visible to the spectator . In many works of art , our pleasure arises from a reflection on the art itself ; itself ; and in a ...
Page 14
... play of King John , the legate of- fers many arguments of consolation to Con- stance , on the loss of Arthur ; they appear , to the spectator , reasonable , till she so strongly expresses the peculiar tenderness of maternal love , by ...
... play of King John , the legate of- fers many arguments of consolation to Con- stance , on the loss of Arthur ; they appear , to the spectator , reasonable , till she so strongly expresses the peculiar tenderness of maternal love , by ...
Other editions - View all
An Essay on the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare: Compared with the Greek ... Elizabeth Robinson Montagu No preview available - 2018 |
An Essay On the Writings and Genius of Shakespeare: Compared With the Greek ... Elizabeth Robinson Montagu No preview available - 2018 |
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absurd action admired affected allegory ambition ancient ANTONY appears Aristotle Atossa Augustus battle of Shrewsbury blank-verse blood Brutus Cassius character Cinna conspiracy conspirators Corneille critic crown dæmons danger danger death dialogue drama ELPINICE Emilia Euripides Eurystheus excite fable Falstaffe fear French friends genius ghost give glory grace Grecian Greek hath heart heav'n Henry Hercules heroes honour human imagination imitation judgment Julius Cæsar kind king lady learned lover Macbeth manners means ment mind moral murder muse nature Nervii never noble passions perfect person piece play PLEBEIAN PLUTARCH poet poetry Prince racters reader representation ridicule Roman Rome says scene secret sentiments Shak Shakspeare Shakspeare's shew sion soliloquy Sophocles soul speak spectator speech spirit stage sublime superstition Tacitus taste tell temper terror thee Theseus thing thou tion tragedians tragedy tragedy of Macbeth translation virtue Voltaire vulgar witches words writers
Popular passages
Page 243 - tis his will : Let but the commons hear this testament, (Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read) And they would go and kiss dead Caesar's wounds, And dip their napkins in his sacred blood ; Yea, beg a hair of him for memory, And, dying, mention it within their wills, Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy, Unto their issue.
Page 162 - Cromwell, I did not think to shed a tear In all my miseries; but thou hast forced me, Out of thy honest truth, to play the woman. Let's dry our eyes: and thus far hear me, Cromwell; And, when I am forgotten, as I shall be, And sleep in dull cold marble...
Page 242 - When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept. Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says, he was ambitious ; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see, that, on the Lupercal, I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse.
Page 233 - So soon as that spare Cassius. He reads much ; He is a great observer, and he looks Quite through the deeds of men : he loves no plays. As thou dost, Antony ; he hears no music ; Seldom he smiles; and smiles in such a sort, As if he mock'd himself, and scorn'd his spirit That could be moved to smile at any thing.
Page 245 - This was the most unkindest cut of all; For when the noble Caesar saw him stab, Ingratitude, more strong than traitors...
Page 240 - O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth, That I am meek and gentle with these butchers; Thou art the ruins of the noblest man That ever lived in the tide of times.
Page 235 - tis a common proof, That lowliness is young ambition's ladder, Whereto the climber-upward turns his face; But when he once attains the upmost round, He then unto the ladder turns his back, Looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees By which he did ascend: so Caesar may; Then, lest he may, prevent.
Page 124 - Weak masters though ye be, I have bedimm'd The noontide sun, call'd forth the mutinous winds, And 'twixt the green sea and the azur'd vault Set roaring war...
Page 150 - I could a tale unfold, whose lightest word Would harrow up thy soul ; freeze thy young blood ; Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres ; Thy knotted and combined locks to part ; And each particular hair to stand an end. Like quills upon the fretful porcupine : But this eternal blazon must not be To ears of flesh and blood.
Page 239 - He, only, in a general honest thought, And common good to all, made one of them. His life was gentle; and the elements So mix'd in him, that Nature might stand up, And say to all the world, This was a man!