The San Francisco call., 1899-12-14
The Sources of the Plot.

In this play Shakespeare dramatized
popular novel (unless, as some think he
made use Of an earlier play. now lost.
which was based upon the novel;. publish
ed In 1880 under the title of "Rosalynde,
Euphues Golden Legacies." by Thomas
Lodge. The book was reprinted I'm 1892
and at least eight editions appeared be-
fore 1913
Shakespeare followed the novel so close
ly in its main Incidents that an outline of
Lodges story may serve very we'll as a
sketch OF the plot of the drama. Lodge
took the preliminary part OF the story
from ''The Coke's Cook 81 Tale OF Game
lyn.' which is found in a few of the later
manuscripts of the Canterbury Tales"
but 1t is not regarded by the best critics
as the work OF Chaucer.
Gamelyn (Rosader in Lodge) has an
elder brother, who. TO get rid of him. in
duces him TO enter contest with a noted
wrestler. Gamelyn is the victor in the
match, and to revenge himself upon his
brother attacks his house with an armed
band. After a struggle he is taken pris-
oner, but is released by an old servant.
Adam Spenser. with whom he takes flight
TO the forest. This much OF the four
teenth century tale Lodge adopts with
trifing changes. Rosader (Gamelyn) and
his bad brother Saladyn correspond. of
course, TO Orlando and Oliver in the play.
6nakeSDtdTc =
by banished King Gerismond. whose
throne has been usurped by Torismond.
Rosader contends with the Kings wrest-
Ter, kills him and gains the love OF Rosa
lynde daughter OF the deposed monarchy.
whom Torismond soon banishes from
court His daughter Alinda Celia takes
her part, whereupon her angry father
banishes her also. The two fiy (Rosalynde
in male disguise) and betake themselves
.xf rAn uvh Aar
has gone Like Shakespeare's girls, they
adopt the names OF Ganimede and Aliena.
In the forest they light upon an old shep-
herd, Gordon (Corin) and young swain.
Montanus (Silvius), who is In love with
the disdainful Phebe. The fugitives buy
a sheep farm OF the landlord of Gordon.
who is employed by them TO take care
of It.
Rosader and Adam, after wandering In
the forest, become desperate with nun
ger and the former leaves mis- agei SER
want while he goes in search Of food. lie
comes upon Gerismond and his company
at their woodland feast, is welcomed and
goes back to fetch Adam, who is received
with the same cordiality.
Later Rosader falls in with Ganimede
and Aliena, tells them the story OF his
love and is led TO play at the game OF
wooing with the supposed youth. the Or
I
Testing match that after proved 10 be
marriage in earnest
Meanwhile Saladyn, who has been ban
ished by Torismond. comes 10 the forest
and is on the point OF being killed while
asleep by a lion. but Is rescued by Rosa
der. band Of robbers attempts 10 carry
off Aliena, and Rosader, who comes 10 her
aid, is nearly oYerpowered. when Saladyn
appears and the robbers are put to flight.
This incident, which Shakespeare Omits.
makes the sudden love OF Saladyn and
Aliena seem more natural.
Phebe falls I'm love with Ganimede and
sends him a letter By Montanus- CANT
mede finally promises that he will marry
no woman but her. on condition that II
she refuses him she will wed Montanus.
The novel ends by Rosalynde's throwing
off her disguise and the three pairs OF low
ers are duly made happy, their marriage
being 'solemnly solemnized."
Shakespeare adds the characters OF
Touchstone. Jaques. William and Audrey.
He also makes the banished Duke tie
brother of the Emperor. but in the novel
there Is no hint OF relationship between
Garismond and Torismond.
CThis brief outline gives idea OF shakes-
peare's Indebtedness to Lodge for many minor
details Of the action and the dialogue. The
reader who wishes 10 trace out these will find
the novel in 'ShakesTsare's Library (Haz-
litts edition. part I. vol i) and somewhat con-
densed in Furness' New variorum'' edition
OF the play and In the introduction to the
notes OF Rolfe's edtion.)
The Stage History of the Play.
Strange as It may seem. the play seems
not to have been a favorite with the the
ater-going folk OF Shakespeare's day.
There Is no record whatever OF any per-
formance during the seventeenth century
| The play was written for the stage and,
of course. was put upon the stage. but
the only evidence Of the fact. II evidence
IL can be called is the tradition that the
part of Adam was taken by the dramarist
himself. Oldys, who died in 1851. was COL
lecting materials for life OF Shakespeare
In his manuscripts we find the statement
that one OF Shakespeare's younger
| brothers. who lived to q good old age.