VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE OF SHAKESPEARE

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 5

VALUE OF KNOWLEDGE OF SHAKESPEARE

Scenes from Shakespeare s plays, and musical items, were presented by the Wellington Shakespearean Society, at its monthly meeting held in the N.Z.E.I. rooms on Thursday night. Dr. O. C. Mazengarb, in an address on “Shakespearean Reminiscences,” stressed the value of storing the mind when young with a knowledge of the poet’s tragedies and of Shakespeare gave a new zest to the study of geography aud history ; aud even if one were not privileged to enjoy the thrill of travelling through Shakespeare's Italy or leafy Warwickshire, one could at least appreciate the moral philosophy of the plays. The evil of ingratitude was portrayed in “King Lear.” or unscrupulous ambition iu “Macbeth,” of jealousy in “Othello,” and of brooding over ones troubles in "Hamlet.” If a persou wanted to read a prophetic forecast of the wouders of the wireless, all that was necessary was to turn to "The Tempest,” aud read how Shakespeare, more than 300 years ago, portrayed the characters of Prospleo and Ariel. At the conclusion of the meeting, mention was made of the death of Mrs. C. E. Adams, a former member of the society, and Mr. C. E. Feltham moved a resolution of sympathy with Dr. Adams.