that embarrassed rather than explained. This part of his character is accidental; the rest is natural. Such a man is positive and confident, because he knows that his mind was once strong, and knows not that it is become weak. Such a man excels in general principles, but fails in the particular application. He is knowing in retrospect, and ignorant in foresight.” - DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON. 'Polonius has no difficulty in calling to mind a'number of wise precepts for the guidance of his son's conduct, the last of which is most striking for its force and nobleness. Yet it is undeniable that he is often both foolish and mean. The reason is that his memory has outlived his intellect; that prettinesses have taken the place of wisdom in his mind; that he recalls words of wisdom and noble sentiments rather than feels them; and that his acknowledged services have so persuaded him of his own merit that he will both act meanly and express himself absurdly, because he conceives, without any misgiving at all, that whatever he does or says is justified by his saying or doing it. Still, in estimating this character, we should do well to remember that the use of language like that of Polonius' would not, in Shakespeare's euphuistic days, argue the complete folly which it would at the present time."— MOBERLY. HORATIO "Horatio is the only complete man in the play, solid, well-knit, and true; a noble, quiet nature, with that highest of all qualities, judgment, always sane and prompt; who never drags his anchors for any wind of opinion or fortune, but grips all the closer to the reality of things. He seems one of those calm, undemonstrative men whom we love and admire without asking to know why, crediting them a capacity of great things, without any test of actual achievement, because we feel that their manhood is a constant quality, and no mere accident of circumstances and opportunity. Such men are always sure of the presence of their highest self on demand. Hamlet is continually drawing bills on the future, secured by his promise of himself to himself, which he can never redeem. ... "We do not believe that Horatio ever thought he 'was not a pipe for Fortune's finger to play what stop she pleased,' till Hamlet told him so. That was Fortune's affair, not his; let her try it, if she liked. He is unconscious of his own peculiar qualities, as men of decision commonly are, or they would not be men of decision. When there is a thing to be done, they go straight at it, and for the time there is nothing for them in the whole universe but themselves and their object."- LOWELL, Shakespeare Once More. "The character of Horatio is the only spot of sunlight in the play; and he is a cheering, though not a joyous gleam coming across the dark hemisphere of treachery, mistrust, and unkindness. The cheerfulness of the grave-digger arises from an intimacy with, and a callous indifference to, his occupation, which, as Horatio says:— 'Custom hath made in him a property of easiness.' It is the result, too, of a healthy old age; or, in some sort, it is not a sentiment, but a physical consequence; even a negation. "But in the deportment of Horatio we have the constant recognition of a placid and pensive man; making no protestations, yet constantly prepared for gentle service. Modest, and abiding his time to be appreciated, his friendship for Hamlet is a purely disinterested principle, and the Prince bears high testimony to it, an illustrious and eloquent tribute to the qualities of his head and heart. (Act III. Sc. 2.) ... “And all this is no lip-deep attestation. Horatio has it, and has earned it. As he adhered to his friend through life, so would he have followed him in death; and only consented to survive him that he might redeem his character with the world." -CHARLES COWDEN-CLARKE, Shakespeare Characters. ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are favorable samples of the thorough-paced, time-serving court knave- servants of all-work, ticketed and to be hired for any hard or dirty job. Shakespeare has at once, and unequivocally, signified his opinion of the race, by making Rosencrantz, the time-server, the schoolfellow of Hamlet, and under the color of their early associations, professing a personal friendship—even an affection for him, at the very time that he had accepted the office of spy upon his actions, and traitor to his confidence. "Good my lord, what is your cause of distemper? You do surely but bar the door upon your own liberty, if you deny your griefs to your friend.' Immediately upon the heel of this protestation he accepts the King's commission to convey his 'friend' to England, where measures had been taken for his assassination. Rosencrantz and his fellow would designate themselves as thoroughly loyal men'; they make no compromise of their calling; the broad R' is burnt into them; they are for the king's service exclusively; and with the scavenger's calling they would scoop all into that reservoir. The poet has sketched them in few and bold outlines; their subtleties of character stare out like the bones of a starved beast. They are time-servers by profession, and upon hire; and 'verily they have their reward.'" – CHARLES COWDEN-CLARKE, Shakespeare Characters. |