Weekly national intelligencer., 1847-12-25
SHAKESPEARE.

editions OF Shakespeare, by Charles Knight and p Collier
and the review of both by Rev. Alexander Dyce
The writer has read and studied Shakespeare and shows
that he would have made-would now make-a far better
editor Of edition of his plays than those whom he re
views have DONE He has keen eye for all the mperfec
tons, this capacity, of all the critics. inclusive of doemac
Old SAM, Of the arrogant Warburton, the splitting
Malone the microscopic Stevens and the far too speculative
illustrators and annoatos most Immediately under remark
He thinks that of them all have yet done full Justice
Shakespeare and by way of stimulating worthy scholar
yet another edition, he expresses the determination TO
into the examination of Knight and Golfers works more in
detail Meantime he gives a taste of his own quality in
the capacity Of critic, by citing the play $50 much elaborated
by its author Of Hamlet, aordng sufficient illustration
of the Truth Of his opinion that Shakespeare presents wide
field for further discovery OF this crque purpose to give
single extract by way of showing the true lover of the
great Bard what they may enjoy in the persa OF the
whole article.-EEpress.
None of his dramas have been studied than Ham
let and yet it contains in opinion, entire scenes which
have been only partially understood understood at all
There is considerable difficulty in mparng the interior mean
ing of dialogue which must be broken up into fragments
and commented on pecemeal for it is Till the evidence
complete, the dsoined parts connected and the whole
viewed in its unity that the full force and truth of the inter
probation be expected To appear But dreaming that
all our convictions will be shared, claiming originality for
every remark may be necessary to make we do not desa
one detached page more of that wondous genius at once
the most and the least transparent in the popular literature of
the world
Every word which drops from the lips of Shakspeares
pesonages the appropriate expression of their inward feel
ngs and owing to that characteristic have mentioned of
the mighty master-ha he will stoop be his own ex
posorn violation OF naurewe miss the spirit in which they
speak, unless we note accurately their particular position at
the lme 1t Is from the neglect of this precauon that the
opening Of Hamlet which is alive with excitement striking
contrasts and the most delicate touches of nature
have been taken by the editors old and new for nothing more
than an unimpassoned conversation between two sennes
Twice had Bernardo been encountered the platform m the
ghost OF the King and he for the third time ayanc-
ing at midnight to the of the appaon in the belief
that he will agan behold the dreaded spectre which had al
most distilled him to jelly with the Of fear In this state
OF mind he would be startled every sight and sound-at
the signing of the wind and the shadows cast by the moon
Thus alive to apprehension he hears advancing footsteps
and the question who's there " is to our ear the suden
instructive exclamation of uncomfortable alarm and not the
ordinary challenge between sentinel and another Fear
by concentrating the Senses endows them with supernatural
acueness and Shakespeare unmndful of the fact
when he made the listening breahess Bernardo to be first
conscious OF their mutual approach Francisco the sentinel
on duty not recognising comade in the terrified voice which
halls him, replies
- Nay, answer me; stand and unfold votn.seifn =
"But the moment Bernardo reassured at hearing him
speak, calls out the watchword, Long live the King in his
habual tones the sentinel knows his fellow and grees him
py nane what follows Is an exquisite specimen Of Shak-
speaes attention to the subtes mnut. He shows US Be-
Of the ghost and keep the from extending further
by circumstance that would be the certain concurrence
that he earlier than usual and arrives at his most with
unwoned ppnctuaity You come most carefully pon y,r
hour says Francisco And how nicely nature Is the
reonde OF Bernardo that has already struck He wishes
to repe the notion that he before his accustomed time for
with guilty feeling he fears be suspected He then bids
rranclsco get 10 bed and the Francisco we
another slight trait which strkingly exempes how careful
Shakespeare to preserve entire consistency in the conduct
Of his characters;
'fraH-For this relief much thanks. 'Tis bitter cold
.7nd am sick at hearI.'
And because he is sick at heart absorbed IN tho cor,o
uon OF his individual gefs he has remarked the I-con
cealed agitation of Bernardo With mind nj eose hs =,
enon would have been excited and his curiosity reused As
ne IS gong, Bernardo asks with off hand air of assumed
indifference Have YOU had quiet guard an inquiry he
dared not make N formal way, in direct conversation lest
ne should betray his anxiety The assurance he receives
ot mouse s'lrIng-n relieving him the hours past
h1es MS thoughts the more exclusively the coming mo-
men lie has wish to be left alone He is impatient "a
be joined BY ms companions, and his parting word Fran
Ityou do meet Horao and Marcellus
The rivals Of my watch, bid them make haste
francisco has scarcely left Bernardo when hearing Ho-
ratio and MarceIus coming, he challenges them Stand
no Who is there The few words which mass in ,be nov,
haipage commonplace they appear to the inatenye
reader are strokes OF character the finest and the most express
sive Marceus had been Bernados associate on the two
preceding nights and he shares Bernarlos soliciude Hora
to skepca about the ghost and maintains il 10 be de
SION The difference Of their emotion is seen in their replies
to the interrogation Of the sentinel Horatio chtheared
and dlsengaged, Is the first He calls out quickly
ana buoyanly, Friends to this ground With slow so.
ieinhy Macelus adds, 'And liegemen the Dane His
hu y upon me mysterious phantom He marvels what il
eooues ms vague suspicion that portends treason
OF misfortune 10 the State leads him Join TO the careless ex
canaton OF Horao protestaon Of their loyalty Follow
ing the current OF his thoughts he is lost meditation he is
unconscious OF the presence of Francisco who has come up
WIN nom ana when the latter says, Give you good night
ny eAciams hke one awakng from trance, farewell
honest soldier Tn any other supposion the ejaculation
would be unmeaning and il is conclusive TO show what
hakspeare intended The revere of Maceus once broken
ne turns IRON utess speculation business of the night
and IN the same breath in which he bids Francisco farewell
inquiries who has relieved him. that he NAV be satisfied il i
no other than his partner Bernardo Francisco goes his
way Marcellus shouts 'Halloa Bernardo = sSay' returns
bernardo without stopping TO reply directly the sauation
Wha Is Horao there Horatio is the scholar that is 10
acco the ghost he is the superior whom both place their
reliance and Bernardo is all eagerness learn that he has
not failed his appointment Hoatio speaks for himself and
continues TO manifest his ncreduy in his ocuar reonder
piece OF him. Bernardo overoyed to be relieved Of his
Solitude receives them with such rapurous warmth
Welcome Horatio welcome, good Marcelus that Mar
ceus imagincs from his excited manner that the ghost Ind
visited him already What he saysnot SO much inoui
rngy as taking for What has this thing A.
peaed again tonight The answer of Bernardo have
nCthug brings Marcclus Horaios disbelief Of M,
whole story
'Ilotatio says I is but our fantasy &c.
Thc compression of the is wonderful and there 4
perhaps passage in any drama which exhibits equal variety
in the space The fright Of Bernardo his Suppressed