DRAMATIC ART.

HISTORY AND CHARACTER OF
SHAKSPEARE'S PLAYS.

BY DR. HERMANN ULRICI.

TRANSLATED FROM THE THIRD EDITION OF THE GERMAN, WITH
ADDITIONS AND CORRECTIONS BY THE AUTHOR,

BY L. DORA SCHMITZ,

TRANSLATOR OF PROFESSOR EZE'S ESSAYS ON SHAKESPEARE,' AND

DR. SCHLIEMANN'S 'TROY AND ITS REMAINS.'

VOL. 1.

LONDON:

GEORGE BELL AND SONS, YORK STREET.

COVENT GARDEN.

1876.

PR2894 .24

822335

LONDON:

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS,

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS

1

FOR the third, and in all probability the last time, this work (now thirty years old) is again presented to the public, or rather to that portion of it which has time and interest for poetry and æsthetic criticism. If I consider the three editions as one work I can say that I have, though with some interruptions, devoted almost my whole life to it. Accordingly it must be self-evident that these three editions are not exactly the same. The second appeared twenty years ago; and still contains an echo of that youthful enthusiasm which originally gave rise to the work. This enthusiasm has long since given way to the calmer, cooler and more accurately weighing reflection of maturer years, which no longer has an eye merely for the excellencies, but also for the defects of its object, I do not know whether to the advantage or the detriment of my work. At all events, I have endeavoured to be just, not only in dealing with the censure which my views and interpretations have met with, but also as regards the enumeration of faults and failings which have recently been pointed out in Shakspeare's works and been set forth in opposition to the German Shakspeare-enthusiasts. Should I have succeeded in coming but one step nearer to the truth, this at least would be a merit of the new edition. As regards the first Books, however, I have found but