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  • Sept. 1, 1797
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The Freemasons' Magazine, Sept. 1, 1797: Page 11

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    Article CURSORY REMARKS ON SHAKSPEARE'S MEASURE FOR MEASURE. ← Page 2 of 2
Page 11

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Cursory Remarks On Shakspeare's Measure For Measure.

the title itself , the hint of which , we may conclude , was taken from this scripture text , ' With what measure ye mete , it shall be measured ta you again . ' As compared with the denouement of the play , where , instead of seeing guilt punished , as we are led to expect , for the sake of making the play end happily , ' Measure for Measure' is forgotten , ami the cul prit is constrained to marry a woman of hkhertq unblemished famewho , in violation of all probabilitypreviousl

, , y resigns her virtue to him , as the only pledge for securing his faith . Independent of this too evident disparagement , the plot as well as the whole apportionment of characters and incidents are much better and more consistently managed than in many of his plays . Its chief excellencies consist in its strength and justness of character , and the elegant diversity of its style , in both which particulars it is but in

few instances surpassed by Shakspeare himself . The character of Isabel is undoubtedly the best drawn and most interesting , which forms one among the m . ny contradictions of our author having paid little attention to his females . Perhaps the only flaw in the whole of this character is , that her grief at the supposed treacherous death of her brother is neither long nor vehement enough ( a fault which occurs also in the character of Romeo ) and

which may , in both instances , be amply confirmed b ;> -a comparative reference to that of Constance in 'King John , ' where the feelings of nature have much larger scope , though actuated by a slighter impulse . When we consider the nature of most state marriages , viz . their foundation in policy and foreign alliance , we cannot but look upon Isabel ' s union with the Duke as another violation of probability , for the same trivial cause that I have before mentioned

-, butwhich might have been in some measure softened by m ;; k ; ng her . of a noble family , which she does not appear to have been . 1 am aware that Shakspeare borrowed his plot from a novel of Cinthio's , from whence some critics may infer that he is not responsible for the inconsistencies of the story ; " but , when we recollect the freedom he always took with the stories he dramatised { Othello especially ) , I am

afraid he cannot on this occasion be acquitted . The character of the Duke , though here brought to our notice under circumstances not altogether plausible , is supported throughout by language and sentiments hi g hly apposite and impressive : in particular , his address to Claudia , on the immoderate love of life , is not only highly eloquent in point of style , but is a rich emanation of such pure philosophy as is calculated to wean the affections from transitory objects , and fix them on the soul ' s immortality .

Our author s attention to his subordinate characters forms a highly useful lesson to all who write for the stage . That oi Barnardine , though seen hut once , is perhaps as true a picture from nature of a man so vitiated as to have become insensible to every object as pen ever drew . Again , the volubility of Lucio we meet with everyday noris the wavering mind of Claudia , on the prospect of his death and dreadful alternative , less justly drawn , though distressing to the audience , DRAMATICUS

“The Freemasons' Magazine: 1797-09-01, Page 11” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 2 June 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fmm/issues/fmm_01091797/page/11/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
Untitled Article 2
LONDON: Article 2
TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Article 3
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE OF MR. WILLIAM WHITE. Article 4
ADDENDA TO THE MEMOIR OF MR. THOMAS HULL, Article 5
ON THE PECULIAR EXCELLENCIES OF HANDEL'S MUSIC. Article 6
HISTORY OF THE SCIENCES FOR 1797. Article 7
CURSORY REMARKS ON SHAKSPEARE'S MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Article 10
THE COLLECTOR. Article 12
THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF PETER PORCUPINE; Article 18
A BRIEF SYSTEM OF CONCHOLOGY. Article 22
DESCRIPTION OF THE PEAK OF TENERIFFE. Article 26
ACCOUNT OF A REMARKABLE SLEEP-WALKER. Article 30
THE FREEMASONS' REPOSITORY. Article 34
OPINIONS CONCERNING MASONRY. WITH THE CHARACTER OP A TRUE FREEMASON. Article 36
A CHARGE Article 37
A VINDICATION OF MASONRY. Article 40
MASONIC INTELLIGENCE. Article 41
GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND. Article 41
REVIEW OP NEW PUBLICATIONS. Article 42
POETRY. Article 50
REPORT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT. Article 54
HOUSE OF COMMONS. Article 57
MONTHLY CHRONICLE. Article 62
OBITUARY. Article 70
LIST OF BANKRUPTS. Article 73
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Page 11

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Cursory Remarks On Shakspeare's Measure For Measure.

the title itself , the hint of which , we may conclude , was taken from this scripture text , ' With what measure ye mete , it shall be measured ta you again . ' As compared with the denouement of the play , where , instead of seeing guilt punished , as we are led to expect , for the sake of making the play end happily , ' Measure for Measure' is forgotten , ami the cul prit is constrained to marry a woman of hkhertq unblemished famewho , in violation of all probabilitypreviousl

, , y resigns her virtue to him , as the only pledge for securing his faith . Independent of this too evident disparagement , the plot as well as the whole apportionment of characters and incidents are much better and more consistently managed than in many of his plays . Its chief excellencies consist in its strength and justness of character , and the elegant diversity of its style , in both which particulars it is but in

few instances surpassed by Shakspeare himself . The character of Isabel is undoubtedly the best drawn and most interesting , which forms one among the m . ny contradictions of our author having paid little attention to his females . Perhaps the only flaw in the whole of this character is , that her grief at the supposed treacherous death of her brother is neither long nor vehement enough ( a fault which occurs also in the character of Romeo ) and

which may , in both instances , be amply confirmed b ;> -a comparative reference to that of Constance in 'King John , ' where the feelings of nature have much larger scope , though actuated by a slighter impulse . When we consider the nature of most state marriages , viz . their foundation in policy and foreign alliance , we cannot but look upon Isabel ' s union with the Duke as another violation of probability , for the same trivial cause that I have before mentioned

-, butwhich might have been in some measure softened by m ;; k ; ng her . of a noble family , which she does not appear to have been . 1 am aware that Shakspeare borrowed his plot from a novel of Cinthio's , from whence some critics may infer that he is not responsible for the inconsistencies of the story ; " but , when we recollect the freedom he always took with the stories he dramatised { Othello especially ) , I am

afraid he cannot on this occasion be acquitted . The character of the Duke , though here brought to our notice under circumstances not altogether plausible , is supported throughout by language and sentiments hi g hly apposite and impressive : in particular , his address to Claudia , on the immoderate love of life , is not only highly eloquent in point of style , but is a rich emanation of such pure philosophy as is calculated to wean the affections from transitory objects , and fix them on the soul ' s immortality .

Our author s attention to his subordinate characters forms a highly useful lesson to all who write for the stage . That oi Barnardine , though seen hut once , is perhaps as true a picture from nature of a man so vitiated as to have become insensible to every object as pen ever drew . Again , the volubility of Lucio we meet with everyday noris the wavering mind of Claudia , on the prospect of his death and dreadful alternative , less justly drawn , though distressing to the audience , DRAMATICUS

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