The times., 1899-05-19
TAKES issue 5.WIIA
TIE BARD'S CRITICS
DR.. Stafford's New Lecture on
julius Caesar.
An Entertaining Analysis o
Shakespearian Characters.
A Large Crowd Present at the Lafay-
cite Opera House Despite the
IncIement weather.


Caesar" last night at the Lafayette Square
Opera House. Despite the rain the thea
tire was filled completely. The audience
was representative of the lovers OF litera-
ture in Washington, and gave most ap-
preciatiye hearing to the most gifted lee
turer.
Impressive silence and hearty applause
were accorded as the inspiration dictated
during the Interpretation of the leading
characters in the play. and the rendition
in matchless oratory OF many of its lines.
Dr. Stafford at the outset took issue with
Shakesperian critics as to the authors
comprehension OF the character of Julius
Caesar He claimed that the great poet
made no mistake, as some critics say, in
not giving mere prominence to Caesar
himself in the tragedy that bears his name.
Nor was Shakespeare ignorant of the sub
lime character of the .mightiest Julius"
He was not following out some great pub
lie discussion or question, said the lee
turer, but 1t was the question of char
acter and the destiny of man that was be-
ing illustrated. Shakespeares frequent ref
erence to Caesar in all his other plays was
ample proof that he understood and appre-
ciated him. and the fact that he was killed
early in this play, together with the tri-
umph of his spirit might. majesty, and
name in the person of octavius Caesar,
proved that the poet was intent on illus
trating, not Caesar, but the destiny of
man.
He took up and analyZed the principal
characters in the play in the order of their
greatness. beginning with Marcus Brutus,
on whom he dwelt at considerable length.
Portia, Cassius. and Marcus Antonius were
each delineated in n manner showing much
study and appreciative comprehension.
Along with the Interpretation were given
many of the strong passages OF the play,
and the oratorical gifts of the young di-
vine met with hearty response of appre-
citation from his hearers.
Brutus was an idealist A man of exaIt-
ed morality. He would not do an injury
for all the world. He had a perfect rever-
ence for himself He would not stain the
spotless purity of his character for any
consideration whatsoever. But when he
has made up his mind to act, he will act
without discussing the consequences. He
is given to much explanation of his con-
duct, and if he had lived would have writ
ten an autobiography OF his life, in which
he would have justified himself in all his
Deeds
The soliloquy OF Brutus in the orchard
on the night before the killing of Caesar
was given, and his resolve perfected He
considered it a holy work he was to per-
form, said the lecturer. and it is By that
view we must look upon him in the future.
The appearance of Portia. pleading for the
confidence of her husband, was commented
on as the most beautiful sentiment in all
OF the works of Shakespeare. She was the
femininity of Brutus .-
Cassius. the lecturer thought, was less
sincere than Brutus. 1t was he who ruined
Brutus by inducing him to join the con-
spiracy, and it was Brutus who afterward
ruined CaSsiuS by compelling the latter
to yield to his judgment in practical mat
ters Cassius was always right in practical
matters and Brutus was always right in
ideals. Cassius frankly hated Caesar be-
cause of his elevation. He hated the
tyrant. Brutus hated the tyranny. Cas-
sius was better conspirator, and II he
had been allowed to rule it would have
been success.
Mark Antony is described as a rich,
varied, and interesting character. He is
not as noble as Marcus Brutus nor as noble
as Cassius. He does not look at life
from a moral standpoint at ALL but from
the point of view that life is a great play
in which he has part. He loves and ad-
mires greatness as SUCH and looks at life
from an esthetic point OF view. He is,
however, without moral fibre. lie is
go with the conspirators, but will first
see what he can do with the common peo-
pie. From an artistic and eloquent point
of view he is magnificent.
The speech OF Antony over the body OF
Caesar was one of the last renditions
given. IL was interpreted with feeling and
force
Dr. Stafford lectured for two hours, and
in conclusion drew lesson to stimulate
the better instincts from the character
of Brutus. Mark that the poet teaches US"
he said, that it is greater to be manly
than anything else, to be true to our own
consciousness, our principles, and ourselves,
than to lead armies, rule kingdoms, or pos
ses5 wealth. The greatest greatness of all
is that which Marcus Brutus possessed,
and as he knew no failure, having been
faithful to his standard of character, we
put the crown of victory on him. His life
was such that all the world might stand
up and say, This was man"