Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1897-04-22
THE TANNING
CT IHe SHaEW.

shrew," received its origin centu-
ries ago in distant Arabia, appearing
in tale OF the Arabian Nights, en-
titled Tho Sleeper Awakened"
IL reappears As a Greek play. with
the scene laid in Athens. It's first
appearance in English was in 1870,
in a collection of stories by Richard
Edwards. In this version, Philip OF
Burgundy. returning late one night, /
encountered the raret9) spectacle !
OF an artisan drunk and asleep by /
the roadside. For tho diversion OF !
his noble lordship he conceived the /
idea of transporting the humble Z
sleeper TO his stately castle, and by
the principle OF Sartor Resartu- |
transform him into a scmblsnce OF
n lord. His scheme was executed:
the bewihierei man ON awakening
WAS surrounded by ob-equious
lackey~. dressed. taken To church,
dinner, the hunt, and in the evening
in the great hail witnessed the play
q the Tanning Of Shrew, given by
band Of strolling players.
This version was completely trans
| formed BY the genius of the immor
tai bard OF Stanford, who saw it,
strong capabilities. lie never claim
I'd more than its adaptation. Grant
White considers there were three
=. riters, the early originator of the
plot. Shakespeare. and his CO labor
/ er. He IL Of the opinion that
Shakespearc's metrical and other
peculiaritie- disappear in certain
portions OF the play, but are unmis-
/ taxable in all scenes with Katharine,
/ Petruchio, and Grumio. The come
DIV throughout has an Italian atmos-
! phere, every name in the play
proper being Italian with the ex-
cepiion Of Curtis, which is supposed
TO be the anglic.zei form of Cor
tese. The comedy of intrigue il an
adaptation Of Il suppositi," by Arr
osto. Its Italian character Is fur
Their seen in fetruchio's knowledge
OF the Italian law Of betrothsl, after
which he addressed Katharine A.
wife, aud Isaptista as father.
In Grumio we see an undens-ble
Icreature of Shakcspeares wonder
full fancy. In the cupidity of Hap
tsta who would barter Blanca, his
best loved daughter. to the highest
bidder, We see a glimpse of shylock
and Jessica. In the gay and rapid
action, Shakespeare's busy inven-
ton and poetic fancy illumines eve
~ part with matchleSs grace, and
vet. viewing the central figures rs
the action proceeds and the motive
becomes apparent, we look into
each others ewes With the mute in
auiry: Can these be the children
Of Shakespeare" He is the poet of
true love. Whenever be has touch
ed love and marriage, he has glori-
fed them with the radiance of that
light which never was on sea or
land" More than all other poets
Shakespeare portrayed the charm
. of gracious xomanhood, her iHfiu-
ence and reign over the heart OF
man, and the sweetness of domestic
ties.
From the brain of Jupiter. Miner
va sprang full-fiedged; from the
brain of Shakespeare came daz-
cling succession of charming wo-
men who have ever since remained
! To challenge the admiration of al
: who love what is lovely.
This great creator, with the magic
wand Of his genius. called into be-
ing the dainty TItania. queen of tbs
fairies, with the ETHEREAL beings o.
that exquisite dream of a mid sum
mer's night; the fair and beaufeoul
Rosalind, who, leaving all, sough
Orlando in his Punishment in th'
greenwood: the loyal clever Por
{ ia. Lady Macbeth, who, though sh'
sinned, vet in her own grand WI,
showed her woman's heart in peni
tenee. Time would fail to tell o
Viola, Helen, Imogen, or of In
fond. Juliet. dying for her believe
a Romeo. Not one of all these bu
Il was a bright, particular star, tn
10 one great blessing to be sought an
u won as 4 life iong good OF her hus
bands heart. TO one in whose min
these images arise, a sense OF incon
gruiiy is felt 1T the story of katha
rina and Petruchio. We. we ma
endeavor to bear in mind tn:
Shakespeare did not originate 4
plot, nor the action, but took the
:, coming rs they did ftom pags
~ times, making the most of stfoI
a situations even with the effect
- presenting a man of wealth and 8
cial position with the ways az Fl
Islander.
Then. too, il is safe to say that
man ever comprehends fully a "
mans Utmost heart, and thou,
Shakespeare's insight into hum
= nature seems almost inspired, y
& Ir. hAr
torch of his genius failed to pen
traie the labyrinth
Katharine, by all testimony, "
beautiful, high spirited young "
man, her only fault that, throu
'' the weak Indulgence Of her faith
she had grown up self-willed 4
spoke her mind regardless of frie
or foe. And yet she was brig
animated, clever, but envious OF
gentle sister, who won three suit
are to her none.
TO Her father cbided her In presel
ket of theee suitors, her proud spi
re- deeply hurt, caused her in q a.
OF pique to accept the offer of Pet
our chic. Pride, not love, held her
2 her promise.
What shall we say of Petruch
First his motive IN marrying,
thou know one rich enough Ia
Petruchio's wife (as wealth is
nth den OF my wooing dance, be she
rye ugly as was EoTentin's love, as
hub as Sybil, and as curst and shire
Iect As Socrates ZantiPPe, or a W.
ion she moves me not.n
Grumio says, AN she knew
as well as I do, she would th
scoiding would do little good on
An she Withstand him hut a Ii,