The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-08
Identity Bstwsen the
Work OF Hebrew Prophet
and British Bard.
Argument Of On English Preacher 20 That
nsot-New Ground broken, tits
Claimed.

prophecies were poetic aud his poesy was
prophetic.
IL Is certain that Shakespeare works
contain large number OF surprising fore
casts, realized by the discoveries and in
ventions OF modern times; that he was
gifted With president perceptiveness, en-
aiding his minds eye 10 see 1.-THE vision
Of the world and all the wonder that would
be-" In this respect he was undoubtedly
akin 10 some OF the Hebrew prophets, who
on their part resembled him in the faculty
OF poetic conception displayed not only
con1ecturally In relation TO potentialities
Of the unknown future. but descriptively
ia connection with contemporary actunli-
ties.
These and other PARTIES Of capacity in
men OF genius belonging 90 different pc
RODS Of time have ere now suggested them
selves 10 thoughtful minds without mum
Der. Hence, az Mr.. Bell remarks, no apol-
ogy is needed IN these days for comparing
tho prophecies Of tho Old Testament with
the plays Of Shakespeare. "They may not
speak with exactly the same tone and ca
denoe IN their voices, nor appeal always to
the same sentiments and emotions. Never
theless they sometimes approach one an
other very closely, and their meaning often
runs in parallel lines" With cando.
rarely manifested by one Of his cloth, the
reverend essayist frankly admits that the
Bible ia no longer regarded by the major
ity Of intelligent persons as "a book Of
theological dogmas, "A systematic body Of
divinity,a mere supplier Of texts for preach
ers and professors. IL Is now felt to be a
book dealing with the passion of life, APP
pealing TO the hearts Of life ia oil men -
These are characteristics which 1t Possesses
in common with Shakespeare works.
Mr.. Bell is not the only interpretive
thinker who has recognized the existence
Of these and other affinities between
Shakespeare and the prophets, or who has
heard now and again some "of the in
tenser notes of the Hebrew harp sounding
through the ShRkespearean drama" He
has, however, as far as we know, taken
the initiative I'm instituting immediate and
distinctive comparisons between Biblical
and theatrical heroes, his assortment Of
whom would, in more than one case, APP
pear at first sight TO be characterized by
strange incongruity. For instance, he links
together Eli the prophet and Hamlet the
Dane, as well as Saul and Macbeth, Jon
athan and Horatio, King David and Har-
ry Of Monmouth
How Hamlet and Eli resemble one an
average intelligence, while, as Mr.. Bell
admits, the main points OF unlikeness be
tween them are prominent and outstand-
ing enough. eli was at once high priest
and judge in a confusing period OF lie
brew history. When we make his acquaint-
ance, he is already gray and old, dwelling
in Shiloh, where he performs his official
functions. We see that the failure OF his
powers adds 20 the difficulty and pathos
OF his position and perhaps serves 10 make
the more apparent 70 us his characteristic
weakness Of nature"
Hamlet on the other hand, is young,
cultured, possessed Of rare powers Of re-
Election, the more purely intellectual Of all
Shakcspearean characters
so wide Is the interval between Eli,
the gray bearded Hebrew, and Hamlet,
the youthful Dane, so marked are their
contrasts, that no connection seems posi-
be between them, and yet there is "A COM
mon ground on which they meet and touch
each other in spite Of all their points OF
disagreement.
This common ground, according TO Mr..
Bell, consists is a like nirmity OF charac-
ter and reveals al action Of the selfsnme
moral law" In either case the burden Of
responsibility seems more than each OF
them can bear.
"Eli and Hamlet both discern what re-
quires TO be done, alike are warned by the
voice OF admonition and hear the call of
duty, but they both break down on the
field Of action. They fall in fortnight di-
rectness aud steadfustness of will, in
promptitude and viRor Of conduct. Hence,
instead Of bringing order out of disorder
and harmony out OF discord, they make
involved at length in the tolls Of wide
spreading, irremediable disaster." Like
Hamlet. Eli had not perseverance and con
nistency Of purpose He betrayed a tenden-
cy 20 let things drift and to "unpack his
heart with words"
The prophet and the prince resembled
one another in being failures as practi-
cal men," They knew well enough what
they ought 10 have done, but knowledge
with them did not become changed into
moral determination. "They missed their
mark by not doing the right thing nc the
right time" From the above IL may be
gathered that Iamlct's likeness TO Eli. as
defined by Mr.. Bell, is relative rather than
positive, parity Of weakness, not OF
strength; Of defects, not Of qualities.
Saul and Macbeth certainly appear 10 re
semblc one another more closely in story as
well as In character than Eli aud Hamlet
The elected king Of Israel and the Scottish
usurper, as young men, were honorable
and valiant, kindly and generous. They
stood high in public estimation until they
began 'to yield 60 strange sugyestions-
TO think and act for themselves alone, for
getful 81 the duties they owed 20 others,
Deglectful Of the responsibilities thut be-
longed TO their personal or official position.
There lay the fatal flaw in Saul and Mac
beth alike.
"They were tempted 20 use their high
Office and place, not as means Of render
ing large service TO others. but for the
ends Of self ACKNOWLEDGEMENT aud despotic
rule. They seem intended % suggest. "a
existing originally ia themselves, posi-
bilitios and promises Of good which never
got fair chance To come To real fruition.
Saul, as described In the Biblical MARIA
tive, Macbeth a. dramatized by Shake
spenre, alike transgrcsscd the true law 81
life aud character. but found 20 their sor-
row that their neglect Of it did not cause
it 20 neglect or forget them. Il tracked
them through all the turniugs and wind
- Il