LECTURE AT THE ARTS CLUB.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1137, 26 May 1911, Page 6

LECTURE AT THE ARTS CLUB.

last evening at tho Arts Club Mr. J&mes, of the Parliamentary Library, gave a very interesting lecture or "talk" linon Othello. To properly appreciate ami understand Shakespeare one had to project oneself into the times of which lie wrote, and not approach him from tho modern standpoint." It was because of I his that commentators sometimes failed in grasping tho right conception of his men and women. Shakesnearo was extremely direct in his language. He did not live in an age of humbug, but in a lime when a snndc was called a spade, and he, therefore, called it by its name and no other. Mr. James firmly believed that Othello was a negro, and not, as some commentators would have it, merely brown in colour, and !o prove his opinion, read different extracts referring to the matter. To further illustrate the character of Olhcllo, Mr. James read various portions of the play dealing with Othello's life, his love for Des-de-mona, aud tho insidious poisoning of his faith in hor by lago. Mr. Goro, in the absence of the president of the club, presided at th» gathering:, and, at tho end, hearty acclamations were accorded to Jlr. James.