The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-08-12
STUDIES IN SHAKESPEARE.

aSceIueO the throne, and we ulY1 him still
intent upon making the crusade to the Holy
Land he had resolved upon at the close
of Richard H." There we find him say
ing:
I'll make a voyage to the Holy Land.
To wash this blood from my guilty hand.
In the meantime civil war had ragged in
the kingdom, 1.-The intestine shock and flu
tious close of civil butchery," to prevent
the immediate fulfillment Of his vow This
was now over and they were to march all
one way. 'as far as to the sepulchre of
Christ"
But the resolve was interrupted by the
news reported by Westmoreland that the
WEIGH chieftain. Owen Glendower, had re-
volted and had captured the noble Morti-
mer. leading the men of Herefpdshire to
fight. Fast upon this came the word from
Scotland that Hotspur had defeated the
Scots under the earl of Douglas at Holme-
don Hill. and had taken a number of Scot
fish chiefs prisoners. 1t was a conquest
for "a prince to boast of. and 1t leads the
king to say. thinking of his son:
les. there thou makest me sad and makest
me sin
In envy that my Lord Northumberland
s--ould be the father to so blest n son.
son who is the theme of honor's tongue:
Amongst grove. the very straightest
plant:
Who is sweet fortunes mnion and her
PRIDE
Whilst l. by looking on the praise of him,
See riot and dishonor stain the brow
OF my young Harry. that 1t could be
proved
That some night tripping fairy had ex-
changed
In cradle Clothes our children. where they
lay.
And called mine Percy. his Plantaganet!
Then would have his Harry and mne
The apparent contrast between these
youths. to the disadvantage of the prince.
was terrible blow to the kings pride.
Hotsupr was a great deal older than the
prince of Wales. nearly old AS the king.
ana there was consequently no rivalry be-
tween them. but to follow history with
accuracy would have been to write very
different play. Shakespeare never hesi-
tated about changing dates and ages if by
so doing he could produce stronger dra-
matte effects.
The denial by IiOtspur of his Scotch pris-
oners is the turning point OF the plot and
the angry conference in the third scene of
the first act between the king and the
three powerful northern mobiles is the be-
ginning of the story, showing also the
character of Hotspur
The latter is of ShakeSpeareS most
popular and striking heroes. The imperi-
Gus. naughty. dauntless, impatient alsbit-
iOuS and Courageous soldier wins the admit
ia ion. ii not the ELECTION. Of every reader.
The surname Hotspur was not founded on
his ,i:spos lion and hot temper, though in
the pay might think The name
was given him by the French and Scots,
whom he had met in battle, who. according
to an old chronicle called him HARE
Hatesporre. because, in the silence OF the
night, and while others reposed in sleep.
he would labor indefatigably against his
enemy. il beating his spurs. w.--ch We
call Hatesporre.
The interview with the king and the sue
ceeding passages with his father and uncle
show Hotspur's character In Its true light.
His description of his interviews with the
perfumed lord about the prisoners is an
admirable foil to the rough and impatient
soldier. Then there are mis- ridicule "Of
this vile politician. Bolingbroke." that ex-
hibit his blindly impetuous temper. so
!. that we need no other guide to his Utmost
nature than his own words.
SIS
His thirst for fame is the profoundest
thought in his nature. and the least word
moves him to express 1t. and "imagina ton
Of some great exploit drives him beyond
the bounds of patience" He exclaims:
BY heaven. nlethinks 1t were an easy leap.
To pluck bright honor from the pale-faced
moon,
Or dive into the bottom of the deep.
Where fathom-li could never touch the
ground.
| And pluck up drowned honor by the locks:
| So he that doth redeem her thence might
might wear,
Without corrivai all her dignities.
Then the thought of the king causes him
! to burst out:
| All stuuies here I so!cmnly defy.
! Save now to gall and pinch this Boiling
/ broke;
! And that same sword -and- buckler prince
| of Wales.
But that l think his father loves him not
! And would be grad he met with some mis-
chance
! 7 would have him poison with pot OF
ale
Even in his sleep Hotspur reveals his
In tiny faint SUMMERS I by thee have
watched.
And heard thee m,lrmur tales Of iron wars;
Speak terms of manage to thy bounding
/ steed;
Cry Courage! to the field. And thou
hast talkd
Of sallies and retires. of trenches. tents,
OF palisadoes. frontiers. parapets,
OF basilisks. OF cannon, culverin.
Of prisoners ransom, and of soldiers slain.
And all the currents of a heady fight.
. what portents are these?
Some heavy business hath my lord In hand
And must know it, else he loves me not.
-
The scene in the third act with Glendowef
Is as amusing as 1t is characteristic They
commence with compliments and nearly
end with blows. Aotspur has but little
patience with Glendower's vanities though
! he gives him his just due as dauntless
soldier. Glendower boasts of hts super
natural powers.
At my nativity
The front of Heaven was full of fiery
shapes,
OF burning cressets. and at my birth
The fame and huge foundation Of the eartf
Shake like a coward.
Hotspur: And so it would have done al
the same season If your mothers cat hac
but kittens. though yourself had nevel
been born.
Glendower: I say the earth did shake
when l was born.
Hotspur: And I say that the earth wa:
not of my mind.
If YOU Suppose as fearing you 1t shook.
Later Glendower boasts of his English
training:
I can speak English lord. as well as you;
For was trained up in English court:
where being young, 1 framed to the harl
Many an English ditty lovely we'll.
. And gave the tongue helpful ornament.