"SHAKESPEARE'S WORKMANSHIP."

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 282, 28 November 1931, Page 2 (Supplement)

"SHAKESPEARE'S WORKMANSHIP."

A WELCOME REPRINT.

Those who possess the charming litue volumes in which the Cambridge University Press has issued Sir Arthur QuillerCouch's scholarly and lively lectures and papers in criticism (and all who appreciate good criticism should have tliem) have been waiting for this cheap edition of "Shakespeare's Workmanship." Here Sir Arthur is at his best—the scholar, the lover of good literature who never loses his enthusiasm,' the wit, the critic who does not shrink from saying hard tilings about great writers if he thinks they deserve them. One can read many times his analysis and appreciation of "Macbeth," especially his account of how Shakespeare piled up his difficulties with his audience. "To sum up: instead of extenuating Macbeth's criminality, Shakespeare doubles and redoubles it. Deliberately this magnificent artist locks every door on condonation, plunges the guilt as deep as hell, and then —tucks up his sleeves." And how we would have enjoyed- his slashing criticism of "The Merchant of Venice" when we did it at school in the customary atmosphere of awe. "Barring the Merchant himself, a merely static figure, and Shylock, who is meant to be cruel, every one of the Venetian dramatis personae is either a 'waster' or a 'rotter,' or both, and coldhearted at that." Bassanio is a "predatory young gentleman," who would not have chosen the leaden casket. Sir Arthur concludes by saying that if he had the choice of all the books written in the world to be his own work, lie would choose "The Tempest." Every lover of Shakespeare should own this little book. •