THE STUDY OF SHAKESPEARE

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1628, 13 May 1903, Page 71 (Supplement)

THE STUDY OF SHAKESPEARE

A SOCIETY FORMED IN WEL-

LINGTON.

A largely-attended public meeting, called for tho purpose of forming a Shakespearian Society' in -Wellington was held on the sth inst. in the Exchange Hall. Dr Findlay was voted to the chair.

Brief papers were read by Sir Robert Stout (Chief Justice), Mr J. W. Joynt, M.A., and Professor McKenzie. Sir Robert Stout, who dealt with the subject “Why Study Shakespeare?” said that we must do so if we studied literature, for Shakespeare stood as the greatest literary man England had produced. He was so many-sided and was such a literary power that none could

bo compared with him. Another reason why wc should study Shakespeare was that his influence on our language and our literature was so great tha/'- we could not appreciate whatever we ?ead until wo knew Shakespeare. He ’pointed out also, that Shakespeare was al-yve all a dramatist, and that the drama had played a great part in the education of our race, and wars, perhaps, destined to play a still greater parti What the drama might yet become we had. not realised, and we could not see the great modern drama better than by the study of Shakespeare. If the pee-were saturated with Shakespeare, the majority of modern plays would not be tolerated. If we analysed their plots or their humour, what poor faro they seemed! He had gone to see many modern plays, and no doubt man'y of the audience had gone also, and they would, he thought, agree that in comparison with the works cr Shakespeare they were weary, stale, flat and unprofitable. The supply, ho pointed out, was i'? —icrdance with the demand.. If we insisted upon out dramatists writing plays with some high aim, moral or artistic, and dealing with life from a high standpoint, we would encourage our modern dramatists to become gteat. One great man did not go alone; he was accompanied by troops of followers. Let phe community cultivate a taste for literature, and appreciate a better drama, and the dramatists would give us a supply of good plays. In a community with a standard of education, Phillips and Ibsen would be more popular than Pinero and Jones. Sir Robert .g(ovit spoke of the value of tlie study of Shakespeare to the journalist, the public speaker, the lawyer, and to many others, and mentioned that in the General Assembly Library there was perhaps the best Shakespearian library m the colony. Mr Jovnt’s subject was “How to Read Shakespeare,” and he warned his hearers against the danger which beset students of every great authoi that of reading hooks about linn, rather than the mail himself. It was tirae that every serious student should know not on y Shakespeare, but the best which had been written about him ; but there were times when one might wish that all commentaries on the works of the poet weie burned. A few months’ isolation on a desert island or on an up-country sheep station with nothing hut a Shakespeaie was- the most favourable situation for the study. (Laughter.) Above all, we ought to read Shakespeare chronologically ; for nothing could be more unsatisfactory than to dip into liis works at haphazard, reading a play here and a play there. The difficulty in a chronological study such as he recommended was, of course, to know the time at.which each play had come forth frbm the author’s brain; but this difficulty, though the plays were not dated, had been solved by tho research of. modern scholars, who, in tlio absence external evidence on the point, nad explored tho plays for their internal evidence'. Mr Joynt also advised that Shakespeare should he read with a pure and courageous mind, and also that in car study of the author we should try to obtain some idea of the times m which ha lived. . Professor McKenzie, speaking of Shakespeare as “guide, philosopher and friend,” said that if ever there lived a man who seemed to be all mankind s epitome, that man was Shakespeare, and if ever there was a work which .was not for an age only, but for all time, that work was Shakespeare’s. .His work was amongst the highest, achievements of the human spirit in literature. He quoted at some length the opinions of other great authors concerning Shakespeare /and advised the society to read the poet’s works earnestly,avoiding controversies as to the authorship of the plays. , . Dr Findlay explained the scope of the society, which has been formed on. a plan similar to that adopted m Dunedin. Ha suggested that the rates of subscription should he : —Honorary members, 10s Gd ; working members —ladies, 2s per quarter; gentlemen, 4s. The working members are to meet weekly to read plays, each member reading in turn as called upon by the chairman; and before tho reading begins a short lecture dealing with the selected play will be delivered. It is proposed also that public readings should be given by the society. Any working rynnber who is absent without excuse fm>t three successive reading-meetings, or who, after having been a member for three months, refuses to read when called* upon by the chairman, shall be deemed to have resigned.

Slips of paper having been distributed amongst the audience, over eighty of those present sent in their names as willing to become members. A committee, consisting of Miss Richmond, Dr Findlay and Messrs J. M. Clark, H. F. Nicriods and W. Si mm, was appointed to secure - a hall for the weekly meetings and make other arrangements. It was announced at the meeting that Mr Chair lea Wilson, Parliamentary Librarian, and Mr H. L. James, Assistant Librarian, had expressed their willingness to assist the society in any way possible. Votes of thanks were to Sir Robert Stout, Mr Joynt and Professor McKenzie for their addresses, and to Dr Findlay for his efforts on behalf of the society-