The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1892-03-30
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE.
Mrs. Bellows's Reading Yesterday in tho
Shakespearian Course.

| ShaEeSpearlan Course
Justly ranked among the comedies OF
| Shakespeare, the Merchant of Veniceo
is, nevertheless, full of tragic interest.
''Trial of the Caskets," from the Costa
Romanorana, with the story of Antonio,
Shylock and the fair Lady of Belmont
from the old Mercatante di Venezia), the
union of 1.-TWO actions in one event. is
most graceful, while frightening the
interest in the development of the char
acters. In small city where one of
Shakespeare's plays is not brought out
on the stage for years, and is even then
robbed of its merit by poor setting and
by the poorer Interpretation of the
support" the reading of play by a
student of Shakespeare is an education
not to be neglected.
In choosing the scenes from the Mer-
chant of Venice, yesterday, Mrs. Bellows
was most wise, or perhaps it was her own
keen appreciation of the varied traits
of character showing through her voice
which delighted her audience. From
the first line of Portals, "My little body
is aweary of this great world" to the
last, "You shall not know by what
strange accident CHANGED on this let
ter" there was in every information, in
every suggestion of attitude, the gradual
unfolding of the high-bred, enthusiastic,
hopeful girl into the tenderness, dignity,
decision, intelligence and principle of the
woman.
Back into Portals maidenhood Mrs.
Bellows carried the interest, with
Nerissa's question, "Do you not remem-
Der, lady, in your fathers time, Vene-
tan, scholar and a soldier, that came
hither? and with Portals eager, girlish
voice, eyes, yes, it was Rassanio," check
ing herself with a touch of reflection
and of modesty II think he is SO called"
which broke again into tell-tale after
Nerissa's compliments, II remember him
worthy of thy praise"
Bassanio was well drawn, graceful and
chivalrous with Portia, grateful, unself-
ish and appreciative toward Antonio,
showing in his tone genuine distress at
Antonios letter. Every tone of Anto-
MOS voice revealed the man, ssthe kind
est, the best conditioned, the most I'M
wearied spirit in doing courtesies."
In Shylock one caught from his first
tone the ancient grudge he bore the
Christian his malice which nothing
could soften.
Portals plan to release Antonio. her
dispatching her trusted servant to old
Bellario, her cousin, the wisest doctor-of-
the-law in Padua, to bring ''what notes
and garments he doth give was unfort-
unately cut for lack of time.
Mrs. Bellows's voice carried in it the
hope of all the court in the Dukes well
come to the ''young and learned doctor"
Why does Portia keep the
court SO long suspense, who
does she go through every de-
tail before she brings out ''the legal quib-
BILE with which her cousin Bellario has
armed her, or which her own woman's
wit suggests to overthrow the Jew?
AS one listened to the sweet voice of
Portia, the reason became evident. The
woman hoped to waken Shylock's spirit,
to kindle in his breast the spark of pity,
to save Antonio through Shylock. She
begins with the appeal to his mercy, sit
dropped as the gentle rain from heaven"
To Bassanio's pleading with the young
doctor, ito do great right, do a little
wrong" Portals high principle shines
clear in her pure tone, cit must not be;
it cannot be- The standard of right
can never be lowered.
She next appeals to Shylock's greed of
gain, stake thrice thy money; bid me
tear the bond;" but in vain. Then to
his physical nature she appeals with
keenest picture of the suffering Of An
tonic, the barring of his bosom, the
chance of his bleeding to death; and last
"'twere good you do SO much for chart
ty." Then Portals patience is exhaust
ed, her indignation triumphs and she
pours her scorn upon his head. ''Shed
thou no blood.'' Gratiano's mockery of
the jews wicked appreciation of the
Daniel come to judgment Mrs. Bellows
gave most Enthusiastically. Of the
rings, she made a charming scene, of
humor and mirth after the sombre court |
room, bringing out the "alrs well that
ends well," which converts the tragedy
into the happy comedy.
OBITUARY..