Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners:: with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.Douce, Francis
History
Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners:: with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.
Douce, Francis
Clowns -- England -- History -- 16th century; Clowns in literature; Exempla in literature; Fools and jesters -- England -- History -- 16th century; Fools and jesters in literature; Gesta Romanorum; Manners and customs in literature; Morris dance; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Characters -- Clow
In confirmation of Mr. M. Mason's note, it may be observed that in the
comedy of _Cornelianum dolium_, Act I. Scene 5, _statua_ is twice used
for a picture. They were synonymous terms, and sometimes a statue was
called a picture. Thus Stowe, speaking of Elizabeth's funeral, says
that when the people beheld "her _statue or picture_ lying upon the
coffin" there was a general sighing, &c. _Annals_, p. 815, edit. 1631.
In the glossary to Speght's _Chaucer_, 1598, _statue_ is explained
_picture_; and in one of the inventories of King Henry the Eighth's
furniture at Greenwich, several _pictures of earth_ are mentioned.
These were busts in _terra cotta_ like those still remaining in
Wolsey's palace at Hampton Court.
ACT V.
SCENE 1. Page 276.
EGL. That Silvia _at Patrick's cell_ should meet me.
The old copy reads "at _friar_ Patrick's cell," which Mr. Steevens
calls a redundance, justifying his alteration by a passage in the next
scene, where "At Patrick's cell" occurs. But the old reading is right,
and should not have been disturbed, there being no redundance when it
is judiciously read. Silvia is often used as a dissyllable, and must
here be read elliptically. Besides, we had "_friar_ Patrick's cell"
before in p. 263.
SCENE 4. Page 280.
VAL. And to the nightingale's complaining notes
Tune my distresses, and _record_ my woes.
It has been already observed that this term refers to the _singing
of birds_. It should have been added that it was formed from the
_recorder_, a sort of flute by which they were taught to sing.
SCENE 4. Page 286.
JUL. How oft hast thou with perjury _cleft_ the root?
The speech had been begun with a metaphor from archery, and is here
continued in the same strain. _To cleave the pin_, was to break the
nail which attached the mark to the butt.
SCENE 4. Page 290.
Mr. Ritson's reply to Mr. Tyrwhitt.
However ingenious and even just the system in this reply may be, it is
evident that Shakspeare was not governed by it; but, on the contrary,
that he _has_ taken the liberties pointed out by Mr. Tyrwhitt.
The proof is, 1. From the circumstance that none of Shakspeare's
contemporaries have used similar words in such a protracted form.
2. Because he has used other words in the same manner which are not
reducible to Mr. Ritson's system; such as _country_, _assembly_, &c.
He never troubled himself about establishing a canon of which he was,
in all likelihood, altogether ignorant; but occasionally took such
liberties as his verses required. This is clearly manifested by his
various use, in many instances, of the selfsame words.
THE CLOWNS.
The character of Speed is that of a shrewd witty servant. Launce is
something different, exhibiting a mixture of archness and rustic
simplicity. There is no allusion to dress, nor any other circumstance,
that marks either of them as the domestic fool or jester.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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