NORTH. In Hamlet? TALBOYS. The ethical ground in Hamlet, sir, is the relation of Father and Son, very peculiarly determined, or specialtied. Observe, sir, how the _like_ relation between Father and Daughter, the _same_ between Father and Son occurs in Polonius’s House. Here, too, a slain Father—a part of the specialty. Compare, particularly, the dilatory revenge of Hamlet, and the dispatchful of Laertes. Again, the relation of Gertrude the Mother and Hamlet the Son—so many differences! And the strange discords upon the same relation—my Uncle-Father and Aunt-Mother—the tragic grotesque. NORTH. Eh? TALBOYS. Then in Lear the House of Gloster counterparts Lear’s. And compare the ill-disposed Son-in-law Cornwall, and the well-disposed Son-in-law Albany. The very Fool has a sort of _filial_ relation to Lear—“Nuncle”—and “come on, my Boy.” At least the relation is in the same direction—old to young—protecting to dependent—spontaneous love to grateful, requiting love, and an intimate, fondling familiarity. Compare in Hamlet, Ophelia’s way of taking her father’s death—madness and unconscious suicide—the susceptible girl,—and the brother’s to kill the slayer, “to cut his throat i’ the church”—the energetic youthy man, _ferox juvenis_—fiery—full of exuberant strength;—all variations of the grounding thought—relation of Parent and Child. NORTH. Of Othello? TALBOYS.