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Article SKETCHES OF FOREIGN LITERATURE. ← Page 3 of 3
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Foreign Literature.
in need . When I review the conduct of Achilles , I ca * not he-. p thinking that the pleasure of revenge is often purchased at too dear a rate . On a survey of the Greeks and Trojans , I find that the people are frequently chastised for the folly or the frenzy of their prince ; and lastly , I must own , observing the effects produced by the and absence of Achillesthat two men linked together
presence , are stronger than in a state of separation . —These are ail , undoubtedly , very good maxims ; but I am persuaded that not one of thern ever contributed to form the ground-work or foundation of Homer ' s poetical edifice . BATTEUX .
MOLIERE ' s MISANTHROPE . WHEN Moliere wanted to paint a man-hater , he did not look out for an original , of which his character should be an exact copy ; he had then made but a picture , a history ; he had then instructed us hut by halves . He collected every mark , every stroke of a gloomy which he could observe To this he added all
temper among men . . that his own genius could furnish him with , of the same kind ; from these several points , well-connected , and properly disposed , he drew a single character , which was not a representation ofthe true , but ofthe probable . His comedy was not the history of Alcestes , but his picture of Alcestes was the history of Misanthropy taken in general . By this means he gave much better instruction than a have done
history scrupulously exact could possibly , by only exhibiting some strokes of a real man-hater , critically correct . BATTEUX „
THE chief thing which hindered the success ofthe Misanthrope at its first appearance remains to this day , with a great many people ; it does not make them laugh . People say , notwithstanding , that it is an admirable play , because they cannot say otherwise without doing themselves discredit . By frequently saying this , and hearing it said bothersit comes to be their own opinionand even their
y , , taste to a certain degree . They laugh alittle at the representation of this piece , but not enough to be able to sa }' , with sincerity , that of all comedies it is that which gives them most pleasure . I do not believe that Moliere consulted his servant about this piece : it was not at all in her taste . If he consulted her now . and then othersit was because he had a mind sometimes to
upon , humour his actors , and it were to be wished , indeed , that he had not done it so often . TKUBiXT .
i y y
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketches Of Foreign Literature.
in need . When I review the conduct of Achilles , I ca * not he-. p thinking that the pleasure of revenge is often purchased at too dear a rate . On a survey of the Greeks and Trojans , I find that the people are frequently chastised for the folly or the frenzy of their prince ; and lastly , I must own , observing the effects produced by the and absence of Achillesthat two men linked together
presence , are stronger than in a state of separation . —These are ail , undoubtedly , very good maxims ; but I am persuaded that not one of thern ever contributed to form the ground-work or foundation of Homer ' s poetical edifice . BATTEUX .
MOLIERE ' s MISANTHROPE . WHEN Moliere wanted to paint a man-hater , he did not look out for an original , of which his character should be an exact copy ; he had then made but a picture , a history ; he had then instructed us hut by halves . He collected every mark , every stroke of a gloomy which he could observe To this he added all
temper among men . . that his own genius could furnish him with , of the same kind ; from these several points , well-connected , and properly disposed , he drew a single character , which was not a representation ofthe true , but ofthe probable . His comedy was not the history of Alcestes , but his picture of Alcestes was the history of Misanthropy taken in general . By this means he gave much better instruction than a have done
history scrupulously exact could possibly , by only exhibiting some strokes of a real man-hater , critically correct . BATTEUX „
THE chief thing which hindered the success ofthe Misanthrope at its first appearance remains to this day , with a great many people ; it does not make them laugh . People say , notwithstanding , that it is an admirable play , because they cannot say otherwise without doing themselves discredit . By frequently saying this , and hearing it said bothersit comes to be their own opinionand even their
y , , taste to a certain degree . They laugh alittle at the representation of this piece , but not enough to be able to sa }' , with sincerity , that of all comedies it is that which gives them most pleasure . I do not believe that Moliere consulted his servant about this piece : it was not at all in her taste . If he consulted her now . and then othersit was because he had a mind sometimes to
upon , humour his actors , and it were to be wished , indeed , that he had not done it so often . TKUBiXT .
i y y