The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)Hazlitt, William
General
The collected works of William Hazlitt, Vol. 08 (of 12)
Hazlitt, William
English essays -- 19th century
In the scene with Lady Anne, in the sudden alteration of his manner to
the messenger who brings him the news of Edward’s illness, in the
interview with Buckingham, where he desires the death of the children,
in his infinitely spirited expostulation with Lord Stanley, in his
triumph at the death of Buckingham, in the parting scene with his
friends before the battle, in his treatment of the paper sent to
Norfolk, and in all the tumult and glowing interest of the last scenes
of the play, we had fresh cause for admiration. It were in vain,
however, to point out particular beauties; for the research, the
ingenuity, and the invention manifested throughout the character are
endless. We have said before, and we still think so, that there is even
too much effect given, too many significant hints, too much appearance
of study. There is a tone in acting, as well as in painting, which is
the chief and master excellence. Our highest conception of an actor is,
that he shall assume the character once for all, and be it throughout,
and trust to this conscious sympathy for the effect produced. Mr. Kean’s
manner of acting is, on the contrary, rather a perpetual assumption of
his part, always brilliant and successful, almost always true and
natural, but yet always a distinct effort in every new situation, so
that the actor does not seem entirely to forget himself, or to be
identified with the character. The extreme elaboration of the parts
injures the broad and massy effect; the general impulse of the machine
is retarded by the variety and intricacy of the movements. But why do we
try this actor by an ideal theory? Who is there that will stand the same
test? It is, in fact, the last forlorn hope of criticism, for it shews
that we have nothing else to compare him with. ‘Take him for all in
all,’ it will be long, very long, before we ‘look upon his like again,’
if we are to wait as long as we _have_ waited.
We wish the introduction of the ghosts through the trap-doors of the
stage were altogether omitted. The speeches, which they address to
Richard, might be delivered just as well from behind the scenes. These
sort of exhibitions are only proper for a superstitious age; and in an
age not superstitious, excite ridicule instead of terror. Mr. Wroughton
makes a very substantial ghost, and Miss Boyce retains the same ruddy
appearance of flesh and blood, and the same graceful _embonpoint_, which
so well became her in the scene where she was wooed by Richard. Mrs.
Glover’s Queen was more natural and impressive than on the first night,
because it was less turbulent; and if she would use still less
vociferation, she would produce a still greater effect—‘For in the very
torrent and whirlwind of the passion, you should acquire a temperance
that may give it smoothness.’
Mr. Kean’s acting in Richard, as we before remarked in his Shylock,
presents a perpetual succession of striking pictures. He bids fair to
supply us with the best Shakespear Gallery we have had!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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