THE ELUSIVE SHAKESPEARE. [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sin,—Mr.
Hookham is rather hard on Shakespeare ; in Coriolanus he finds a repulsive mentality, explained by " artistic decadence " and " moral blindness." Lord Macaulay must be as decadent, &c., as Shakespeare.
" Still Caius of Corioli, His triumphs and his wrongs, His vengeance and his mercy Live in our campfire songs.
Rome well may bear the pride of him Of whom herself is proud."
And these are not the words of a " proud patrician," but of a leader of the people addressing the people.
The story of Coriolanus has always seemed to me to convey an excellent warning to a very ungrateful democracy : " That worst of tyrants, an usurping crowd," as the greatest of all poets says. Mr. Hookham would, however, find Homer's mentality repellent also. However, his views of Shakespeare are at least of an arresting and startling novelty.—I am, Sir, &c., JAMES MURPHY (Capt.).
Royal Victoria Hotel, St. Leonards-on-Sea.
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