would be naturally kindled in his mind, to seize upon the power which was sliding from the hands of the voluptuous Edward, and the "simple, plain Clarence." The poet of the 'Richard III.' goes straightforward to his object; for he has made all the preparation in the previous dramas. No gradual development is wanting of the character which is now to sway the action. The struggle of the houses up to this point has been one only of violence; and it was therefore anarchical. "The big-boned" Warwick, and the fiery Clifford, alternately presided over the confusion. The power which changed the "Dreadful marches to delightful measures" seemed little more than accident. But Richard proposed to himself to subject events to his domination, not by courage alone, or activity, or even by the legitimate exercise of a commanding intellect, but by the clearest and coolest perception of the strength which he must inevitably possess who unites the deepest sagacity to the most thorough unscrupulousness in its exercise, and is an equal master of the weapons of force and of craft. The character of Richard is essentially different from any other character which Shakspere has drawn. His bloody violence is not that of Macbeth; nor his subtle treachery that of Iago. It is difficult to say whether he derives a greater satisfaction from the success of his crimes, or from the consciousness of power which attends the working of them. This is a feature which he holds in common with Iago. But then he does not labour with a "motiveless malignity," as Iago does. He haa no vague suspicions, no petty jealousies, no remembrance of slight affronts, to stimulate him to a disproportioned and unnatural vengeance. He does not hate his victims; but they stand in his way, and as he does not love them, they perish. Villains of the blackest die disguise their crimes even from themselves, Richard shrinks not from their avowal to others, for a purpose. It is the result of the peculiar organization of Richard's mind, formed as it had been by circumstances as well as by nature, that he invariably puts himself in the attitude of one who is playing a part. It is this circumstance which makes the character (clumsy even as it has been made by the joinery of Cibber) such a favourite on the stage. It cannot be over-acted. It is only in the actual presence of a powerful enemy that Richard displays any portion of his natural character. His bravery required no dissimulation to uphold it. In his last battle-field he puts forth all the resources of his intellect in a worthy direction: but the retribution is fast approaching. It was not enough for offended justice that he should die as a hero: the terrible tortures of conscience were to precede the catastrophe. The drama has exhibited all it could exhibit —the palpable images of terror haunting a mind already anticipating the end. Ratcliff, I fear, I fear," is the first revelation of the true inward man to a fellowbeing. But the terror is but momentary :— "Let not our babbling dreams affright our souls." To the last the poet exhibits the supremacy of Richard's intellect, his ready talent, and his unwearied energy. The tame address of Richmond to his soldiers, and the spirited exhortation of Richard, could not have been the result of accident. PERSONS REPRESENTED. King Edward IV. Edward Prince Of Wales, afterwards King Richarn, Duke of York, son to the King. George, Duke of Clarence, brother to the King. Richarn, Duke of Gloster, afterwards King Appears, Act I. sc. 1; sc. 2; sc. 3. Act 11, sc. 1; sc. 2. Act III. sc. 1; sc. 4; sc. 5; sc. 7. Act IV. sc. 2; sc. 3; sc. 4. Act V. sc. 3; sc. 4. A young Son of Clarence. Henry, Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Appears, Act V. sc. 2; sc. 3; sc. 4. Cardinal Bouchier, Archbishop of Canterbury. Appears, Act III. sc. 1. THOMAS ROTHERAM, Archbishop of York. John Mortons Bishop of Ely. Appears, Act III. sc. 4. DUKE Of Norfolk. Appears, Act V. sc. 3; sc. 4. Earl Of Surrey, son to the Duke of Norfolk. Earl Rivers, brother to King Edward's Queen. Marquis Of Dorset, son to King Edward's Queen. Lord Grey, son to King Edward's Queen. Earl Of Oxford. Appears, Act V. sc. 2; sc. 3. Lord Hastings. Appears, Act I. sc. 1; sc. 3. Act II. sc. 1; SC. 2. Act III. sc. 1; sc. 2; sc. 4. Appears, Act I. sc. 3. LORD STANLEY. Act II. sc. 2; sc. 2. Act III. sc. 1; se. 4. 2; sc. 4; sc. 5. Act V. sc. 3; sc. 4. |