The newspaper., 1907-01-11
Sources Of Shakespeare's Plays.
BY MISS GRACE DIXON.

upholding and fundamental strength
on which to build, so it was in the
fundamental principles and indulg-
ing facts that Shakespeare built so
solidly and lastingly the basis of
his works.
In determining the sources of
Shakespeare's various plots, one
needs to have n good unders landing
of the times, and a fair acquaintance
with the other literary productions
OF the same period.
Coleridge has very aptly called the
dramatist the Thousand souled"
Shakespeare and no other phrase
could quite 30 well describe the many
sided character. To his own creative
power more than to any other one
source, may we ascribe the real orr
gin of Shakespeare's works.
In poetical texture, or the trend of
literary form, Shakespeare is quite
unusual. While it is a well known
fact that many OF his plays are either
directly or indirectly patterned after
some earlier forms, and that the plots
and characters are in some cases
almost exact reproductions of those
OF other authors, still the form and
peculiar weave are Shakespeare
very own.
The reality in his characters, incl
dents, and everyday happenings, is
not to be found in as marked IA degree
in the works of any of the contempo-
NJ Ia n
and disposition, so full of action and
energy, are responsible for the orig
inality of his works.
Shakespeare's life had great deal
to do with molding his literary pro-
ductions. His young manhood was
spent on the stage, and in the COM
pany OF the best actors and drama
lists of the time and no doubt he re-
ceived much inspiration from Eliza
beth, who was an enthusiastic patron
OF the drama, and In whose presence
the poet was accustomed to be
very great deal.
His wit and humor can hardly be
his nature was equally well developed
thus enabling him to give into his
works that "all-round something"
that makes him worth, of the promi-
nent place accorded him in the world
OF literature.
The scenes around him, both in
court and lowlier life furnished ideas
for many OF his plays, while the pro-
ductions OF earlier authors afforded
him material for many of his plots.
1t cannot be said that Shakespeare
created the Merchant of Venice" al
though the writing of the two main
plots forfeiture and 1.-THE casket-
lottery" is undoubtedly OF Shake
spearian origin.
The original OF the casket-lottery
dates back in the days OF Mediaeval
Romance, and the substance of 1t was
used repeatedly by successive authors
but reached It's climax in the hands
OF Shakespeare. The Incidents OF the
bond, the forfeiture, the pound Of
flesh, and the way in which the PEN
atty is escaped, are related In n novel
by Giovanni Fiorentino, written
hpout boihc thiSS PiS~
vious and Shakespeare undoubtedly
used 1t as basis OF the trouble over
the bond in his Merchant OF Venice.
His historical plays are based on
historical facts, and the main char
acters are taken from life. Julius
Caesar was compiled from several
sources 1.-THE Life OF Caesar" "The
Life OF Marcus Antonius," and from
Sir Thomas North's translation Of
Plutarch.
1.-The Knights Tale" and "Lysbe
OF Babylone" by Chaucer and Arthur
Golding's translation OF the story OF
Pyramus and Thisbe from Ovid, fur
nished the material for midsummer
Nights Dream" Robin Goodfellow,
Titania, and Oberon, were not orig
inal with Shakespeare, but were
common characters in fairy mythol-
ogy, used by many authors OF the
time. Shakespeare repeatedly awaited