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Strafford, an historical tragedy. with notes by E.H. Hickey
Strafford an historical tragedy with notes by EH Hickey Author:Robert Browning Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: GENERAL QUESTIONS. 1. What is meant by the Action of a Play ? (The story, as told on the stage.) Is the incident of Pym's meeting Strafford at Greenwich part ... more »of the action ? Is Stafford's falling on the Scots at Durham ? (The first is not, because it is narrated as having occurred before the play begins ; the second is, because it is part of the story, though not actually represented on the stage.) 2. It has been said of the drama that in it there should be a sudden change from happiness to misery, or from misery to happiness. Can you trace this suddenness in Strafford's fall ? 3. What makes the tragedy in " Strafford ? " Compare with what makes it in " Macbeth," and " King Lear." 4. How far do you think it may be allowable to alter (1) historical facts, (2) historical sequence, for dramatic purposes ? Mention any instances you find of either in this play—in any play of Shakespere's. 5. Can you think of any reason why the actions of people in a political sphere should be judged by a different standard from that by which we judge those of people in private life f (Read Gervinus's " Shakespeare Commentaries," pp. 256-7.) Apply this to Strafford. 6. Can you see anything identical, or similar, in the leading motives of Strafford, Pym, and Lady Carlisle? 7. Compare Browning's blank verse with Shakespere's and with Milton's. CHISWICK PRESS I- . WHITTINGHAM AND CO., TOOKS COURT, CHANCERY LANE. ...« less