Transcriber's Notes: Words in italics in the original are surrounded with underscores. Characters superscripted in the original are surrounded by {braces}. Ellipses match the original. In footnotes and attributions, commas and periods seem to be used interchangeably. They remain as printed. Variations in spelling, hyphenation, and accents remain as in the original unless noted. A complete list of corrections as well as other notes follows the text.
SHAKSPEARE
AND
HIS TIMES:
INCLUDING THE BIOGRAPHY OF THE POET; CRITICISMS ON HIS GENIUS AND WRITINGS; A NEW CHRONOLOGY OF HIS PLAYS; A DISQUISITION ON THE OBJECT OF HIS SONNETS; AND A HISTORY OF _THE MANNERS, CUSTOMS, AND AMUSEMENTS, SUPERSTITIONS, POETRY, AND ELEGANT LITERATURE OF HIS AGE_.
BY NATHAN DRAKE, M.D. AUTHOR OF "LITERARY HOURS," AND OF "ESSAYS ON PERIODICAL LITERATURE."
—— On the tip of his subduing tongue All kind of arguments and question deep, All replication prompt, and reason strong, For his advantage still did wake and sleep: To make the weeper laugh, the laugher weep, He had the dialect and different skill, Catching all passions in his craft of will; That he did in the general bosom reign Of young, of old; and sexes both enchanted.
The very age and body of the time, his form and pressure. SHAKSPEARE.
IN TWO VOLUMES.
VOL. II.
LONDON: PRINTED FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, IN THE STRAND. 1817.
Printed by A. Strahan, Printers-Street, London.
CONTENTS
OF
THE SECOND VOLUME.
PART II. continued.
SHAKSPEARE IN LONDON.
CHAP. V.
Dedications of Shakspeare's VENUS AND ADONIS, and RAPE OF LUCRECE, to the Earl of Southampton — Biographical Sketch of the Earl — Critique on the Poems of Shakspeare. Page 1
CHAP. VI.
On the Dress and Modes of Living, and the Manners and Customs of the Inhabitants of the Metropolis, during the Age of Shakspeare. 87
CHAP. VII.
On the Diversions of the Metropolis, and the Court — The Stage; its Usages and Economy. 168
CHAP. VIII.
A Brief View of Dramatic Poetry, from the Birth of Shakspeare to the Period of his Commencement as a Writer for the Stage, about the Year 1590; with Critical Notices of the Dramatic Poets who flourished during that Interval. 227
CHAP. IX.
Period of Shakspeare's Commencement as a Dramatic Poet — Chronological Arrangement of his genuine Plays — Observations on PERICLES; on the COMEDY OF ERRORS; on LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST; on HENRY THE SIXTH, PART THE FIRST; on HENRY THE SIXTH, PART THE SECOND; and on A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT'S DREAM — Dissertation on the FAIRY MYTHOLOGY, and on the Modifications which it received from the Genius of Shakspeare. 256
CHAP. X.
Observations on ROMEO AND JULIET; on the TAMING OF THE SHREW; on THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA; on KING RICHARD THE THIRD; on KING RICHARD THE SECOND; on KING HENRY THE FOURTH, PARTS FIRST AND SECOND; on THE MERCHANT OF VENICE; and on HAMLET — Dissertation on the AGENCY of SPIRITS and APPARITIONS, and on the GHOST in HAMLET. 356
CHAP. XI.
Observations on KING JOHN; on ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL; on KING HENRY THE FIFTH; on MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; on AS YOU LIKE IT; on MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR; on TROILUS AND CRESSIDA; on HENRY THE EIGHTH; on TIMON OF ATHENS; on MEASURE FOR MEASURE; on KING LEAR; on CYMBELINE; on MACBETH — Dissertation on the POPULAR BELIEF in WITCHCRAFT during the Age of Shakspeare, and on his Management of this Superstition in the Tragedy of MACBETH. 419
CHAP. XII.
Observations on JULIUS CÆSAR; on ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA; on CORIOLANUS; on THE WINTER'S TALE; on THE TEMPEST — Dissertation on the GENERAL BELIEF of the Times in the ART OF MAGIC, and on Shakspeare's Management of this Superstition as exhibited in THE TEMPEST — Observations on OTHELLO; on TWELFTH NIGHT, and on the PLAYS ASCRIBED to Shakspeare — SUMMARY OF SHAKSPEARE'S DRAMATIC CHARACTER. 490
CHAP. XIII.
A Brief View of Dramatic Poetry, and its Cultivators, during Shakspeare's Connection with the Stage. 556
CHAP. XIV.
The Biography of Shakspeare continued to the Close of his Residence in London. 581