THE ETHICS OF SHAKESPEARE.
[To THE EDITOR. Mi. TIM ”SPRCUTOIX•1 Sru,—The writer of the article, "Shakespeare on Johnson," which appeared in your iseue of Angnet 1st, remarks that Johnson is indignant that Shakespeare should spare Angelo, the corrupt Deputy, in _Measure for Measure. But in what way is Angelo to be punished ? Tip cannot be deprived qf life for having signed Olaudici'a death-warrant, because that warrant had never been executed, and, in accordance with Viennese law, Claudio's life was already forfeited on aceourit pf hie liaison with Juliet. To banish gr imprison Angelo would be futile, singe the real victim of his treachery is Mariana, who still loves him, forgives him, and pleads. to the Duke for his life ae tenderly as did Isabella to the Deputy for her brother. It would be a strange irony for the Duke to show the same indifference to the sobs of the heroine of the Moated Grange that Angelo did to the tears of the Novice. The Duke's pardon is given for the sake of Mariana, and Angelo reneives his punishment in the prdeal of seeing his villainy exposed in the public street. Professor Raleigh has discussed the ethics of Measure for aleasure with wonderful clearness in his "Shakespeare" ("English Men of Letters" Series). In my opinion, this comedy hag never before received it due mee,,d pf praise at the hand of the critic. Angelo levee -virtue and justice; he hates sensuality nnd vice. No other wpmati but the chaste Isabella could ever have aroused his passion. It is her goodness more than her beauty which fascinitte„s 4im. Until be saw her he was confident in his integrity and righteousness. Now that be knows his weakness he prays for strength to overcome it. He is filled with remorse and shame at what he has done. When he is convicted he asks for no other penalty but death. Surely these are extenuating circumstances in a man's first folly, and claim consideration. Yet there is pne eide pf Arigelo'e pharapter that is not gt, pleasant one. Re breaks his promise to Mariana because she has lost her dowry. But even this, perhape, is not altogether unloohed for in the career of an ambitious young statesman. In dispensing human justice in preference to legal justice, Shakespeare has shown, in my opinion, in The Merchant of Venice the same wisdom and sanity that he does in Measure for Measure, although Professor Raleigh follows the view which has come into poptilarity ii nsigna since Sir Henry Irving's picturesque impersonation of the Jew on • the stage of the Lyceum. "Shyloek," says Professor Raleigh, 6{,ig dismissed unprotesting to insult and oblivion." Now fell to see where the tent justifies this criticism. Shyiock demands that his "merry bond" shall be taken es a serieus bargain, and refnee3 to spare the his of his eleer.ny. The law must be upheld, he says, for the .fisike pf Venetian credit, which has a world-wide repidation. But Shylock's epot,ract contains a flaw and is declared yoirl. Noreoyer, a law is dis- covered to exist which .conslenins to death, together with the confiscation of all property, any alien who has designedly contrived against the life of a citi7.en. So soon as Sliyipek is told this we hear no more 'rem him shout upholding the demands of the law. Inatead, he bnos his jP4po al flings a curse at Antonio. But hero cons tha pint which I venture to think Professor Raleigh has overlooked. The mercy which Shyleek refuses the Christian, the Christian e#entls to the Jew. For Shylock's life, which by law is forfeited, isspared to liim, and half his wealth, which is con- fie,cated, restored to him, and he leaves the Court considerably better off than his opponent, the penniless Antonio, who, bad he taken advantage of the rigour of the law, would bare receired half of the "rich Jew's" wealth. No defaulter could expect more mercy than Shylock receives, and which be receives in face of his challenge to the Court to beware of taking liberties with the law. Of course the story is compli- cated by sectarian bitterness. But Shylook's forced conversion to Christianity is not intended as a punishment. In Eliza- bethan times an infidel was considered to be as much outside the pale 9f 4eveli as was the deg in the street, and we may presume thnt Shylopic will in the future pease to receive religious persepution.—I pan, Sir, &c., WILT.T.a.* POEL.
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