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THE

PHILOSOPHY

OF

SHAKSPERE,

EXTRACTED FROM HIS PLAYS.

AND

INTERSPERSED WITH REMARKS.

BY

MICHAEL HENRY RANKIN.

London:

WHITTAKER AND CO., AVE MARIA LANE.

DEARDEN, NOTTINGHAM.

MDCCCXLI.

PR2768
R35

PRINTED BY W. DEARDEN, CARLTON-STREET, NOTTINGHAM. 1955-4 -4

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In an article which appeared not long ago in a Periodical, the following passage with reference to Shakspere caught my attention :----" That all our Poet's serious Plays abound in profound observations, and maxims of the soundest wisdom, is a fact that cannot escape any but the most careless readers," (and further on,)-"The Beauties of Shakspere have been collected; the Philosophy of Shakspere might make up a most interesting volume."

That the writer's notions in this respect entirely coincided with my own, "Ecce signum !"

The world is only now just beginning to appreciate Shakspere. His poetical beauties, indeed, have been widely and justly lauded by the literary, and certainly the people have (often without knowing it) been indebted to him for many "household words," "wise saws and modern instances:" but it is an undoubted truth, that, until very lately, until some splendid editions of his works have drawn a more than ordinary attention to them, his greater and more numerous merits have been almost a sealed book to the multitude-especially the female multitude.

One unfortunate blemish-an offence against the advanced refinement and delicacy of the times-the introduction of topics and phrases now excluded from polite society, has operated most lamentably against his reputation: and, amongst the ignorant and narrow-minded, (who, of necessity, form no small portion of all communities) has obtained for him (however preposterous the fact may seem) the character of an immoral writer. Nay, some reverend writers, more zealous than wise, have even gone so far as to affirm that Shakspere was destitute of religious feeling and reverence for God. The true friends of religion and morality must regret that their advocates, in making such a charge, have grossly departed from truth. The fact is, that the profane passages occurring in our Author's Plays, are either uttered by personages whom Shakspere intends to hold up to reprobation, and in whom piety would destroy consistency of character; or, he manages to show in the context, that he himself approves them not. As to his religious feeling and reverence for God, it is sufficient for me to refer to the following pages for undeniable testimony in his favour.

I have no wish or intention to deny or apologize for the besetting sin of our great Poet, the sin against propriety: but admit and much regret its existence. Yet the faults of Shakspere were the faults of his times;* his beauties are beauties of eternity! And, in spite of the frequent occurrence of the objectionable passages alluded to, it may still be safely affirmed, that the tendency of his works is univer

* It is well known, for instance, that Ariosto recited his "Orlando" for the amusement of Lucretia Borgia, and the ladies of her court. Now, in all probability, the wife of a beggar, in our times, would feel insulted by having certain portions of that poem read in her presence.

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