New-York tribune., 1905-11-14
SHAKESPEARE AT THE GARDEN.
Macbeth. "

Macbeth"
The tragedy of Macbeth" was presented at the
Garden Theatre last night-Mr. Mantell and Miss
Marie Booth Russell appearing in the central and
dominant characters (and incidentally, 1t was also
presented by Mr.. Ben Greet and his company. at
Meudelssohn HaD Particular comment on the
acting Of the various performers in these revivals
of this great play is, for the moment. reserved
but, as the theme of Macbeth is one Of excep-
tional interest and is recurrent here after long
interval of dormancy. a general survey of 1t VIII
not perhaps, be deemed Inappropriate. 1t was
truly said bv that acute, subtle, authoritative
American critic Edwin P. Whipple (whose Works
are exceptionally worthy Of being frequently ano
thoroughly read and considered), that the analSsts
who have tried TO measure Shakespeare only sue
ceed in measuring themselves by HIM The re-
mark is wise; and Il impossible for any Thought
full person to approach this great subject without
sense Of tenerity. comminSled with hunlple oiin-
tence and reverental awe: but time ana the houf
allow no alternative. In studying the plays OF
Shakespeare the student should avoid the per-
nicous custom of reading into them a meaning
that their text does not clearly and fuly SUD-
stantiate. Shakespeare wrote his plays for the
stage They were intended for public representa-
ton They were not designed TO Illustrate any
snecec moral or any specific philosophical PROPOSE
ton Shakespeare however, was first OF all, a
poet and, accordingly, in the fulhlment OF MS
dramatic designs, his mind, Spontaneously ana
without conscious voltion. poured into the fabric
-
erv and noetc language OF him, surely, 1t can wei
be said-as Emerson said of the architect or 81.
Peter's-"Himself from God he couio not Tree!
He builded better than he knew The plays OF
Shakespeare though primarily and specifically
meant for the stage. are found to MI an ampler
stage than the speculative ingenuity of man mas
ever devised for his business or his art-the vast
stage of human experience. This poetic principle
IN Shakespeares plays. operating by involuntary
impulse caused him to write many passages which,
while they are harmonious with his subject ana
opposite artistic development and display are
not essential the action; and consequently IN the
regular theatre no of Shakespeares plays is
ever acted in literal accordance with Shakespeare
text This poetic principle. furthermore deter
mined in every instance, the character, or quahtS
of the play. The poetic mind In its hghest 1orih'
sees life not in fragments but as whoiei not as
restricted TO the individual, but as extendeo TO 'e
human race not merely the life of the Present,
but also the life of the Past and the HE OF lhe
Future and this clarity of vision. necessarily IN
work of poetic art, leads to unity OF design t1acn
o- the great tragedies of Shakespeare is found 10
display a characteristic Qualty-a dominant 1orce'
or attribute, element or color. call 1t what you
v1ll-,1nder which all parts Of the work are CO.
ordinated and into which they are merged Ihe
greatest OF Shakespeares plays, and, inceeo' lie
greatest of all plays. technically speaking, is
.otheIlo" In that tragedy, which deals with lhe
most potent and terrible of the human passions
Jealousy the dominant force or quality IS aclioi'
The play of 'othello'' could be acted in pantomime
,v,tbout words In Hamlet the pervasive rulng
attribute is spiritualized intellect In hhs Lear
the most stupendous creation OF genius III an NJ
erature-there is a strain of incessant einolioii'
prolonged note of love and grief the organ wall o.
suffering humanity. king Lear" is the Tragedy OF
The affections the great drama OF the human
heart In Macbeth everything is circuiliseiip1u'
controlled animated colored and enTorceo py 'iie
imagination and IN TINS ooii1iii 'ii0 'A0ho'
Macbeth stands alone
T. come Of the editions OF Shakespeare Mac
beth is included among the histories pul N 80
q; 10 su.bentic historical basis for the play, and
as n is essentially poetic and imaginative. 'ha'
- Is.;aoo,ion of it. obviously, is wrong SNAKE
sneare found the prose materials upon which, @
rnoteIv he built this tragedy IN f1oilsheu
,.CTbronicI. History of Scotland That chrohieie
-, IN -. 80 the murder of King Dufe, A. ID.
o1o - co,-rivance of Donwald one or his chief
,atns and lnat chieftains wife ana IL also tens
story of the murder OF King duncan a u tV''.
~ Macbeth Banquo and other conspirators against
t,-, Nfacbeth's wife approving OF the plan hnd
o,,ro ,irs her husband to commit the crime, and
-o make himself king. Dufe was the great grand
fatber of Lady Macbeth. and Donwald's servants
s,.1v hin, I'm a castle near Forres He had given
r,oruaId and his wife some offence. by hanging
ral o@ their relatives. Duncan was the grand
con oe King Malcolm H. in conflict with whom
nfacbeths father Fniegh, Prince of Ross, had lost
hts life and who had killed the grandfather OF
lady Macbeth as also her first husband GaicoIn-
oa,r Prince. of Moray, and had put to death her
/ only brother. The gracious Duncan was siam
| av Macbeth and his adherents. in blacksmith s
| shop near Elgtn-the place being called Both-
| eovranan which means. "the smiths bothy- Gill
comgat,7's widow was named Lady Gruoch, and
| she had a son named Lulach who SUCCEEDED Mac
/ beth. bpt after reign of only Few months.
T,,ach was killed IN battle Qe57l. giving place TO
Malcolm ILL., called Malcolm Ceanmore-that is
| 90. the Great bead" The early history of Scot
land is an amazing narrative OF internecine strife
| and almost indiscrirntnats carnage The Hebrides
| ard considerable part Of the northern and west
ern coast OF that country were under the dominion
| of Norway, and it was alter d oatt.e N "hich
/ ~-..a- <oress had defeated those OF King Dun
90, t6at Macbeth {tIIi thea one Of his chieftains)
| fo,,na II expedient turn against him. slaughter
him ard make friends with the conqueror; thereby
securing his own advancement 10 the sovereignty
| - cootlana The traveller In that romantic coun-
,x 4. told OF Glarais Castle. ca~dor Castle. and