The morning times., 1896-12-15
DR.. STAFFORD ON MACBETH
Philosophical Analysis of Shake
speare's Sublime Tragedy.
brilliant ntAudIence at Columbia Thea
ter-Lecture for Benefit of
Carroll Institute.

DR.. Stafford IS Macbeth is in some re
spects, perhaps from majority CT points
or view, the ablest or his studies OF Shake
speare. 1t was BEARD last night at Co
lumbia Theater by one of the most bril-
liant assemblages Of the season, the boxes
especially, being filled with Dotables in
social and official life. Among those
noted were Mrs. Blackburn, Dr. Elliott, OF
the Church OF the Ascension; Senator Black
Durl, Justice White, Father McGee, Justice
Morris, senator Roach, Senator Carter,
retary Morton and others with parties Of
ladies'
The lecture was given for the benefit OF
carroll Institute, the lecturer having been
introduced briefly by DT. n. F. Taylor, its
president.
Tne treatment or Macbeth by DIR.
Staffo oru contains less or the charm Of purely
dramatic exposition than his Hamlet, but
his analysis OF the former play is more
philosophical, more interpretive, but is
none tneless scholarly and sympathetic than
that or the latter. DR., Stafford regards
Macbeth as the most sublime OF all Shakes
peare works, and this was the iuea which
ne developed, characterizing 1t as the most
prominent In the conditions or persons,
tunes and places
1t was such a play as only Shakespeare
could have written. He dwelt on the matter
OF the play, noting the marvellous c0uiblIi-
auon OF natural and supernatural effects,
It's human relations and it's metaphy ysical
suggestions nsandnldclInery. pasSln s-rapItity
on the drama and It's historical biography,
SO to say, lie attacked the German com
inentators and critics who ascribed Mac
betlt motives 10 the lnflpncue Of the weird
sisters. lie quoted the internal evidence or
the lines TO show that the influence OF the
witches was secondary.
The real motive, Lp said, antedated the
appearance OF the witches and was the am
bition OF Macicth 10 iIatrp tie throne, the
ways and means having been sug ggested by
Lady Macbeth. From tins Ieiation OF
ns "a INnlNH1 no
tinction that Macbeth embodied the force
OF Imagination ana Lady Macbeth that OF
au tnfleXible Will. Macbeth was not
cold-DlUoded murderer, as is proved by the
Sentiments in the sUlilUqUy before the mur-
der or Duncan, nor was Lady Macbeth las
BAD as her words, but rather woman OF
deilcacy nd charm.
80 WdtCnIn, the development OF con
science in the two characters il is not sur
prising that the man OF Imagination does
in action and that the woman of will
wIIhcrS away leaving even the manner OF
her death problem. Macbeth SO dies
by the consummate art OF Shakespeare,
battling To the last, that he wins and hs'is
human respect and pity in the catastrophe.
His fight was like that of the typical Greek
tragic hero, against fate; like Prometheus
Bound, but it had the added terror OF hay-
ing been battle also against his fellow
man.
As To Lady Macbeth there were two views
as TO her motives, one traditional heredi-
tary motive Of revenge, but the more
probable was her consuming am hilton which
was apparently exhausted when her lord
hadreach ID the throne Together they were
great, but not vulgar criminals" They
would have died as they had lived, with
out recrimination, notwithstanding the re-
morse and conscience of which both were
shown To be keenly capable, and acuteiy
endowed.
Dr. staffor,rs dramatic readings of the
two sUliloqufes before the murder, the
passages between MIN and Lady Macbeth
Just after the crime and other familiar quo
tations were given with illuminating eff
feet and 'professipnar' sympathy. These
illustrations, as well as his original COM
ments and descriptions. We're from time To
time impulsiveiy applauded