The New York herald., 1921-04-03
Our Own Book Review.

JULIUS CESAR: A TRAGEDY Bv William
Shakespeare. Stratford- Avon. Olden &
Antique Ltd
TT Is clearly indicated in this work that
Mr.. Shakespeare devoted considerable
time to study before writing his see
mario, but 1t is to be regretted that he mixed
up some OF the well known facts of history
in such manner as absolutely to misinform
his audiences. 1t Is also unfortunate that
he has allowed himself to adopt too fam
boyant style, particularly in the big scenes
of the play.
The story Is Of the death of the miserable
scoundrel who has inflicted so much pain
and humiliation upon the schooboys of all
nations by writing a book called Commen-
taries, with which we shall deal later i'm
more vigorous fashion
Mr.. Shakespeare uses Marcus Brutus
Caius Cass.us and several others to hatch
political plot against Julius Cesar, the Ro-
man Emperor. who was stabbed in a fight i'm
"A B. c. He makes of Marc Antony the
Roman general, the friend of Cesar. After
Brutus Cassius and their gang stab Cesar
war takes place in which Brutus and
Cassus are defeated VIII lie the victorious
Antony comes on the stage for final speech
1t must be admitted that Mr.. Shakespeare
covers the stage nicely with corpses and the
stage hands are kept rather busy mopping
up the gore and dragging out the dead
This young playwright. however, has so
changed the real facts of history in an at
tempt to make good story that we feel II
our duty to keep the record straight. AS
matter of fact Brutus a gangster and
the head of a crowd OF knife fighters in
Rome His chief lieutenant was C1Ais Cas-
sius. MIR. Shakespeare permits Cassius TO
say a speech in which ne declares Cesar
must be croaked because of his ambition.
This is quite incorrect. AS a matter OF
fact CasstGs had seen his own little son
crying with rage as he tried to translate
Cgsar's Commentaries He stood IL as
long as he could and then his blood boiled
over. Revenge became a passion with him.
He talked his chief, Brutus, into helping
him and Brutus called meeting of his
gang that night at midnight to formulate a
plan. They met In Brutus's garden. Por-
tia, Brutuss wife, saw them tramplng
down her flowers and suddenly appeared
with a rolling pin. REINFORCED by her cook
who welded frying pan. The two women
put the gang TO flight Mr.. Shakespeare
makes a pathetic love scene between Bru-
tus and Portia out Of this incident which
indicates how far he wanders from history.
Later Brutus Is permitted TO say soemnly
The clock hath stricken three" when as a
matter Of fact II was Portia who made the
remark upon which this line is based As
the gang fled from the garden Portia called
exultantly, The cook hath stricken three.
The big scene Of the play is in the Senate
chamber. where Cesar Is stabbed Mr.
Shakespeare rather overdoes the thing at
this point. He seeks TO make a ceremony
OF a knife fight by some gangsters and
does It rather badly. He would have done
better II he had contented himself with re-
lating the facts. What really happened
was that when Brutus and his gang APP
preached rather crouchingly every one
knew what was going to take place The
Senators began making getaway before
the police arrived, but Cesar proudly stood
his ground and said TO the Senator's: Fear.
not, no metal can touch me-"
OF course. he was mistaken but II mus;
be admitted that he died game. Efis las-
words before falling were directed at Rru-
tus. Cesar drew himself erect and hissed
in Brutus's face. you Brute"
We haven't intended 10 pan this young
playwright too much. The play makes Il
very interesting evening indeed IL ono will
bear in mind the real history of the tmes
as we have related IL