A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this ArgumentCollier, Jeremy
General
A Short View of the Immorality, and Profaneness of the English Stage: Together with the Sense of Antiquity on this Argument
Collier, Jeremy
Theater -- England -- Early works to 1800; Theater -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Early works to 1800
And here we may observe that all _Oedipus_ his reproaches relate to
_Tiresias_'s person, there is no such Thing as a general Imputation upon
his Function: But the _English Oedipus_ makes the _Priesthood_ an
Imposturous Profession;[252] and rails at the whole _Order_. In the next
Tragedy, _Creon_ charges _Tiresias_ with subornation; and that he intended
to make a Penny of his Prince. The _Priest_ holds up his Character, speaks
to the ill Usage with an Air of Gravity, calls the King _Son_, and
foretells him his Misfortune.[253]
To go on to _Euripides_, for _Sophocles_ has nothing more. This Poet in his
_Phænissæ_ brings in _Tiresias_ with a very unacceptable report from the
_Oracle_. He tells _Creon_ that either his Son must die, or the City be
lost. _Creon_ keeps himself within Temper, and gives no ill Language. And
even when _Moenecius_ had kill'd himself, he neither complains of the Gods,
nor reproaches the _Prophet_.[254]
In his _Bacchæ_, _Tiresias_ is honourably used by _Cadmus_; And _Pentheus_
who threatned him, is afterwards punish'd for his Impiety.[255] In another
_Play_ _Apollo_'s _Priestess_ comes in upon a creditable account, and is
respectfully treated.[256] _Iphigenia_ _Agamemnon_'s Daughter is made
_Priestess_ to _Diana_; and her Father thought himself happy in her
Employment.[257] These are all the _Priests_ I remember represented in
_Euripides_. To conclude the antient _Tragedians_ together: _Seneca_ seems
to follow the Conduct of _Euripides_, and secures _Tiresias_ from being
outraged. _Oedipus_ carries it smoothly with him and only desires him to
out with the Oracle, and declare the Guilty Person. This _Tiresias_
excuses, and afterwards the Heat of the expostulation falls upon
_Creon_.[258] _Calchas_ if not strictly a _Priest_, was an _Augur_, and had
a Religious Relation. Upon this account _Agamemnon_ calls him _interpres
Deorum_; The Reporter of Fate, and the God's _Nuntio_; And gives him an
honourable Character.[259]
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