CONTENTS
PrefaceHowthePlaycametobeWrittenThomasTylerFrankHarrisHarris\"durchMitleidwissend\"
\"Sidney’sSister：Pembroke’sMother\"
Shakespear’sSocialStandingThisSideIdolatryShakespear’sPessimismGaietyofGeniusJupiterandSemeleTheIdoloftheBardolatersShakespear’sallegedSycophancyandPerversionShakespearandDemocracyShakespearandtheBritishPublicTheDarkLadyoftheSonnetsTHEDARKLADYOFTHESONNETS
1910
PREFACETOTHEDARKLADYOFTHESONNETS
HowthePlaycametobeWrittenIhadbetterexplainwhy，inthislittle_pieced’occasion_，writtenforaperformanceinaidofthefundsoftheprojectforestablishingaNationalTheatreasamemorialtoShakespear，IhaveidentifiedtheDarkLadywithMistressMaryFitton。First，letmesaythatIdonotcontendthattheDarkLadywasMaryFitton，becausewhenthecaseinMary’sfavor（oragainsther，ifyoupleasetoconsiderthattheDarkLadywasnobetterthansheoughttohavebeen）wascomplete，aportraitofMarycametolightandturnedouttobethatofafairlady，notofadarkone。Thatsettlesthequestion，iftheportraitisauthentic，whichIseenoreasontodoubt，andthelady’shairundyed，whichisperhapslesscertain。Shakespearrubbedinthelady’scomplexioninhissonnetsmercilessly；forinhisdayblackhairwasasunpopularasredhairwasintheearlydaysofQueenVictoria。AnytingelighterthanravenblackmustbeheldfataltothestrongestclaimtobetheDarkLady。Andso，unlessitcanbeshewnthatShakespear’ssonnetsexasperatedMaryFittonintodyeingherhairandgettingpaintedinfalsecolors，Imustgiveupallpretencethatmyplayishistorical。ThelatersuggestionofMrAchesonthattheDarkLady，farfrombeingamaidofhonor，keptataverninOxfordandwasthemotherofDavenantthepoet，istheoneI
shouldhaveadoptedhadIwishedtobeuptodate。Why，then，didI
introducetheDarkLadyasMistressFitton？
Well，Ihadtworeasons。Theplaywasnottohavebeenwrittenbymeatall，butbyMrsAlfredLyttelton；anditwasshewhosuggestedasceneofjealousybetweenQueenElizabethandtheDarkLadyattheexpenseoftheunfortunateBard。Nowthis，iftheDarkLadywasamaidofhonor，wasquiteeasy。Ifshewereatavernlandlady，itwouldhavestrainedallprobability。SoIstucktoMaryFitton。ButIhadanotherandmorepersonalreason。Iwas，inamanner，presentatthebirthoftheFittontheory。ItsparentandIhadbecomeacquainted；andheusedtoconsultmeonobscurepassagesinthesonnets，onwhich，asfarasIcanremember，Ineversucceededinthrowingthefaintestlight，atatimewhennobodyelsethoughtmyopinion，onthatoranyothersubject，oftheslightestimportance。I
thoughtitwouldbefriendlytoimmortalizehim，asthesillyliterarysayingis，muchasShakespearimmortalizedMrW。H。，ashesaidhewould，simplybywritingabouthim。
Letmetellthestoryformally。
ThomasTylerThroughouttheeightiesatleast，andprobablyforsomeyearsbefore，theBritishMuseumreadingroomwasuseddailybyagentlemanofsuchastonishingandcrushinguglinessthatnoonewhohadonceseenhimcouldeverthereafterforgethim。Hewasoffaircomplexion，rathergoldenredthansandy；agedbetweenforty-fiveandsixty；anddressedinfrockcoatandtallhatofpresentablebutnevernewappearance。
Hisfigurewasrectangular，waistless，neckless，ankleless，ofmiddleheight，lookingshortishbecause，thoughhewasnotparticularlystout，therewasnothingslenderabouthim。Hisuglinesswasnotunamiable；itwasaccidental，external，excrescential。Attachedtohisfacefromthelefteartothepointofhischinwasamonstrousgoitre，whichhungdowntohiscollarbone，andwasveryinadequatelybalancedbyasmalleroneonhisrighteyelid。Nature’smalicewassooverdoneinhiscasethatitsomehowfailedtoproducetheeffectofrepulsionitseemedtohaveaimedat。WhenyoufirstmetThomasTyleryoucouldthinkofnothingelsebutwhethersurgerycouldreallydonothingforhim。Butafteraverybriefacquaintanceyouneverthoughtofhisdisfigurementsatall，andtalkedtohimasyoumighttoRomeoorLovelace；only，somanypeople，especiallywomen，wouldnotriskthepreliminaryordeal，thatheremainedamanapartandabachelorallhisdays。Iamnottobefrightenedorprejudicedbyatumor；andIstruckupacordialacquaintancewithhim，inthecourseofwhichhekeptmeprettycloselyonthetrackofhisworkattheMuseum，inwhichIwasthen，likehimself，adailyreader。
Hewasbyprofessionamanoflettersofanuncommercialkind。Hewasaspecialistinpessimism；hadmadeatranslationofEcclesiastesofwhicheightcopiesayearweresold；andfollowedupthepessimismofShakespearandSwiftwithkeeninterest。Hedelightedinahideousconceptionwhichhecalledthetheoryofthecycles，accordingtowhichthehistoryofmankindandtheuniversekeepseternallyrepeatingitselfwithouttheslightestvariationthroughoutalleternity；sothathehadlivedanddiedandhadhisgoitrebeforeandwouldliveanddieandhaveitagainandagainandagain。Helikedtobelievethatnothingthathappenedtohimwascompletelynovel：hewaspersuadedthatheoftenhadsomerecollectionofitspreviousoccurrenceinthelastcycle。Hehuntedoutallusionstothisfavoritetheoryinhisthreefavoritepessimists。Hetriedhishandoccasionallyatdecipheringancientinscriptions，readingthemaspeopleseemtoreadthestars，bydiscoveringbearsandbullsandswordsandgoatswhere，asitseemstome，nosanehumanbeingcanseeanythingbutstarshiggledy-piggledy。NexttothetranslationofEcclesiastes，his_magnumopus_washisworkonShakespear’sSonnets，inwhichheacceptedapreviousidentificationofMrW。H。，the\"onliebegetter\"ofthesonnets，withtheEarlofPembroke（WilliamHerbert），andpromulgatedhisownidentificationofMistressMaryFittonwiththeDarkLady。WhetherhewasrightorwrongabouttheDarkLadydidnotmatterurgentlytome：shemighthavebeenMariaTompkinsforallIcared。ButTylerwouldhaveitthatshewasMaryFitton；andhetrackedMarydownfromthefirstofhermarriagesinherteenstohertombinCheshire，whitherhemadeapilgrimageandwhencereturnedintriumphwithapictureofherstatue，andthenewsthathewasconvincedshewasadarkladybytracesofpaintstilldiscernible。
InduecoursehepublishedhiseditionoftheSonnets，withtheevidencehehadcollected。Helentmeacopyofthebook，whichI
neverreturned。ButIrevieweditinthePallMallGazetteonthe7thofJanuary1886，andtherebyletloosetheFittontheoryinawidercircleofreadersthanthebookcouldreach。ThenTylerdied，sinkingunnotedlikeastoneinthesea。IobservedthatMrAcheson，MrsDavenant’schampion，callshimReverend。ItmayverywellbethathegothisknowledgeofHebrewinreadingfortheChurch；andtherewasalwayssomethingoftheclergymanortheschoolmasterinhisdressandair。Possiblyhemayactuallyhavebeenordained。Buthenevertoldmethatoranythingelseabouthisaffairs；andhisblackpessimismwouldhaveshothimviolentlyoutofanychurchatpresentestablishedintheWest。Wenevertalkedaboutaffairs：wetalkedaboutShakespear，andtheDarkLady，andSwift，andKoheleth，andthecycles，andthemysteriousmomentswhenafeelingcameoverusthatthishadhappenedtousbefore，andabouttheforgeriesofthePentateuchwhichwereofferedforsaletotheBritishMuseum，andaboutliteratureandthingsofthespiritgenerally。HealwayscametomydeskattheMuseumandspoketomeaboutsomethingorother，nodoubtfindingthatpeoplewhowerekeenonthissortofconversationwereratherscarce。Heremainsavividspotofmemoryinthevoidofmyforgetfulness，aquiteconsiderableanddignifiedsoulinagrotesquelydisfiguredbody。
FrankHarrisTothereviewinthePallMallGazetteIattribute，rightlyorwrongly，theintroductionofMaryFittontoMrFrankHarris。MyreasonforthisisthatMrHarriswroteaplayaboutShakespearandMaryFitton；andwhenI，asapiousdutytoTyler’sghost，remindedtheworldthatitwastoTylerweowedtheFittontheory，FrankHarris，whoclearlyhadnotanotionofwhathadfirstputMaryintohishead，believed，Ithink，thatIhadinventedTylerexpresslyforhisdiscomfiture；forthestressIlaidonTyler’sclaimsmusthaveseemedunaccountableandperhapsmaliciousontheassumptionthathewastomeamerenameamongthethousandsofnamesintheBritishMuseumcatalogue。ThereforeImakeitclearthatIhadandhavepersonalreasonsforrememberingTyler，andforregardingmyselfasinsomesortchargedwiththedutyofremindingtheworldofhiswork。I
amsorryforhissakethatMary’sportraitisfair，andthatMrW。H。
hasveeredroundagainfromPembroketoSouthampton；butevensohisworkwasnotwasted：itisbyexhaustingallthehypothesesthatwereachtheverifiableone；andafterall，thewrongroadalwaysleadssomewhere。
FrankHarris’splaywaswrittenlongbeforemine。IreaditinmanuscriptbeforetheShakespearMemorialNationalTheatrewasmooted；
andifthereisanythingexcepttheFittontheory（whichisTyler’sproperty）inmyplaywhichisalsoinMrHarris’sitwasIwhoannexeditfromhimandnothefromme。Itdoesnotmatteranyhow，becausethisplayofmineisabrieftrifle，andfullofmanifestimpossibilitiesatthat；whilstMrHarris’splayisseriousbothinsize，intention，andquality。Buttherecouldnotinthenatureofthingsbemuchresemblance，becauseFrankconceivesShakespeartohavebeenabroken-hearted，melancholy，enormouslysentimentalperson，whereasIamconvincedthathewasverylikemyself：infact，ifI
hadbeenbornin1556insteadofin1856，IshouldhavetakentoblankverseandgivenShakespearaharderrunforhismoneythanalltheotherElizabethansputtogether。YetthesuccessofFrankHarris’sbookonShakespeargavemegreatdelight。
TothosewhoknowtheliteraryworldofLondontherewasasharpstrokeofironiccomedyintheirresistibleverdictinitsfavor。Incriticalliteraturethereisoneprizethatisalwaysopentocompetition，oneblueribbonthatalwayscarriesthehighestcriticalrankwithit。Towin，youmustwritethebestbookofyourgenerationonShakespear。Itisfeltonallsidesthattodothisacertainfastidiousrefinement，adelicacyoftaste，acorrectnessofmannerandtone，andhighacademicdistinctioninadditiontotheindispensablescholarshipandliteraryreputation，areneeded；andmenwhopretendtothesequalificationsareconstantlylookedtowithagentleexpectationthatpresentlytheywillachievethegreatfeat。
Nowifthereisamanonearthwhoistheuttercontraryofeverythingthatthisdescriptionimplies；whoseveryexistenceisaninsulttotheidealitrealizes；whoseeyedisparages，whoseresonantvoicedenounces，whosecoldshoulderjostleseverydecency，everydelicacy，everyamenity，everydignity，everysweetusageofthatquietlifeofmutualadmirationinwhichperfectShakespearianappreciationisexpectedtoarise，thatmanisFrankHarris。Hereisonewhoisextraordinarilyqualified，byarangeofsympathyandunderstandingthatextendsfromtheribaldryofabuccaneertotheshyesttendernessesofthemostsensitivepoetry，tobeallthingstoallmen，yetwhoseproudhumoritistobetoeveryman，providedthemaniseminentandpretentious，thechampionofhisenemies。TotheArchbishopheisanatheist，totheatheistaCatholicmystic，totheBismarckianImperialistanAnacharsisKlootz，toAnacharsisKlootzaWashington，toMrsProudieaDonJuan，toAspasiaaJohnKnox：inshort，toeveryonehiscomplementratherthanhiscounterpart，hisantagonistratherthanhisfellow-creature。Alwaysprovided，however，thatthepersonsthusconfrontedarerespectablepersons。SophiePerovskaia，whoperishedonthescaffoldforblowingAlexanderIItofragments，mayperhapshaveechoedHamlet’sOhGod，Horatio，whatawoundedname——
Thingsstandingthusunknown——Ileavebehind！
butFrankHarris，inhisSonia，hasrescuedherfromthatinjustice，andenshrinedheramongthesaints。HehasliftedtheChicagoanarchistsoutoftheirinfamy，andshewnthat，comparedwiththeCapitalismthatkilledthem，theywereheroesandmartyrs。Hehasdonethiswiththemostunusualpowerofconviction。Thestory，ashetellsit，inevitablyandirresistiblydisplacesallthevulgar，mean，purblind，spitefulversions。Thereisapreciserealismandanunsmiling，measured，determinedsinceritywhichgivesastrangedignitytotheworkofonewhosefixedpracticeandungovernableimpulseitistokickconventionaldignitywheneverheseesit。
Harris\"durchMitleidwissend\"
FrankHarrisiseverythingexceptahumorist，not，apparently，fromstupidity，butbecausescornovercomeshumorinhim。NobodyeverdreamtofreproachingMilton’sLuciferfornotseeingthecomicsideofhisfall；andnobodywhohasreadMrHarris’sstoriesdesirestohavethemlightenedbychaptersfromthehandofArtemusWard。Yetheknowsthetasteandthevalueofhumor。HewasoneofthefewmenofletterswhoreallyappreciatedOscarWilde，thoughhedidnotrallyfiercelytoWilde’ssideuntiltheworlddesertedOscarinhisruin。
Imyselfwaspresentatacuriousmeetingbetweenthetwo，whenHarris，ontheeveoftheQueensberrytrial，prophesiedtoWildewithmiraculousprecisionexactlywhatimmediatelyafterwardshappenedtohim，andwarnedhimtoleavethecountry。Itwasthefirsttimewithinmyknowledgethatsuchaforecastprovedtrue。Wilde，thoughundernoillusionastothefollyofthequiteunselfishsuit-at-lawhehadbeenpersuadedtobegin，neverthelesssomiscalculatedtheforceofthesocialvengeancehewasunloosingonhimselfthathefancieditcouldbestayedbyputtinguptheeditorofTheSaturdayReview（asMrHarristhenwas）todeclarethatheconsideredDorianGreyahighlymoralbook，whichitcertainlyis。WhenHarrisforetoldhimthetruth，Wildedenouncedhimasafaintheartedfriendwhowasfailinghiminhishourofneed，andlefttheroominanger。Harris’sidiosyncraticpowerofpitysavedhimfromfeelingorshewingthesmallestresentment；andeventspresentlyprovedtoWildehowinsanelyhehadbeenadvisedintakingtheaction，andhowaccuratelyHarrishadgaugedthesituation。
ThesamecapacityforpitygovernsHarris’sstudyofShakespear，whom，asIhavesaid，hepitiestoomuch；butthatheisnotinsensibletohumorisshewnnotonlybyhisappreciationofWilde，butbythefactthatthegroupofcontributorswhomadehiseditorshipofTheSaturdayReviewsoremarkable，andofwhomIspeaknonethelesshighlybecauseIhappenedtobeoneofthemmyself，wereall，intheirvariousways，humorists。
\"Sidney’sSister：Pembroke’sMother\"
AndnowtoreturntoShakespear。ThoughMrHarrisfollowedTylerinidentifyingMaryFittonastheDarkLady，andtheEarlofPembrokeastheaddresseeoftheothersonnetsandthemanwhomadelovesuccessfullytoShakespear’smistress，heverycharacteristicallyrefusestofollowTylerononepoint，thoughforthelifeofmeI
cannotrememberwhetheritwasoneofthesurmiseswhichTylerpublished，oronlyonewhichhesubmittedtometoseewhatIwouldsayaboutit，justasheusedtosubmitdifficultlinesfromthesonnets。
Thissurmisewasthat\"Sidney’ssister：Pembroke’smother\"setShakespearontopersuadePembroketomarry，andthatthiswastheexplanationofthoseearliersonnetswhichsopersistentlyandunnaturallyurgedmatrimonyonMrW。H。ItakethistobeoneofthebrightestofTyler’sideas，becausethepersuasionsinthesonnetsareunaccountableandoutofcharacterunlesstheywereofferedtopleasesomebodywhomShakespeardesiredtoplease，andwhotookamotherlyinterestinPembroke。Thereisafurthertemptationinthetheoryforme。ThemostcharmingofallShakespear’soldwomen，indeedthemostcharmingofallhiswomen，youngorold，istheCountessofRousilloninAll’sWellThatEndsWell。Ithasacertainindividualityamongthemwhichsuggestsaportrait。MrHarriswillhaveitthatallShakespear’sniceoldwomenaredrawnfromhisbelovedmother；butI
seenoevidencewhateverthatShakespear’smotherwasaparticularlynicewomanorthathewasparticularlyfondofher。ThatshewasasimpleincarnationofextravagantmaternalpridelikethemotherofCoriolanusinPlutarch，asMrHarrisasserts，Icannotbelieve：sheisquiteaslikelytohavebornehersonagrudgeforbecoming\"oneoftheseharlotryplayers\"anddisgracingtheArdens。Anyhow，asaconjecturalmodelfortheCountessofRousillon，IpreferthatoneofwhomJonsonwroteSidney’ssister：Pembroke’smother：
Death：erethouhasslainanother，Learndandfairandgoodasshe，Timeshallthrowadartatthee。
ButFrankwillnothaveheratanyprice，becausehisidealShakespearisratherlikeasailorinamelodrama；andasailorinamelodramamustadorehismother。Idonotatallbelittlesuchsailors。Theyaretheemblemsofhumangenerosity；butShakespearwasnotanemblem：
hewasamanandtheauthorofHamlet，whohadnoillusionsabouthismother。Inweakmomentsonealmostwisheshehad。
Shakespear’sSocialStandingOnthevexedquestionofShakespear’ssocialstandingMrHarrissaysthatShakespear\"hadnothadtheadvantageofamiddle-classtraining。\"IsuggestthatShakespearmissedthisquestionableadvantage，notbecausehewassociallytoolowtohaveattainedtoit，butbecauseheconceivedhimselfasbelongingtotheupperclassfromwhichourpublicschoolboysarenowdrawn。LetMrHarrissurveyforamomentthefieldofcontemporaryjournalism。HewillseetheresomemenwhohavetheverycharacteristicsfromwhichheinfersthatShakespearwasatasocialdisadvantagethroughhislackofmiddle-classtraining。Theyarerowdy，ill-mannered，abusive，mischievous，fondofquotingobsceneschoolboyanecdotes，adeptsinthatsortofblackmailwhichconsistsinmercilesslylibellingandinsultingeverywriterwhoseopinionsaresufficientlyheterodoxtomakeitalmostimpossibleforhimtoriskperhapsfiveyearsofaslenderincomebyanappealtoaprejudicedorthodoxjury；andtheyseenothinginallthiscruelblackguardismbutanuproariouslyjollyrag，althoughtheyarebynomeanswithoutgenuineliteraryability，aloveofletters，andevensomeartisticconscience。Buthewillfindnotoneofthemodelsofhistype（Isaynothingofmereimitatorsofit）belowtherankthatlooksatthemiddleclass，nothumblyandenviouslyfrombelow，butinsolentlyfromabove。MrHarrishimselfnotesShakespear’scontemptforthetradesmanandmechanic，andhisincorrigibleaddictiontosmuttyjokes。HedoesusthepublicserviceofsweepingawaythefamiliarpleaoftheBardolatrousignoramus，thatShakespear’scoarsenesswaspartofthemannersofhistime，puttinghispenwithprecisionontheonename，Spenser，thatisnecessarytoexposesuchalibelonElizabethandecency。TherewasnothingwhatevertopreventShakespearfrombeingasdecentasMorewasbeforehim，orBunyanafterhim，andasself-respectingasRaleighorSidney，exceptthetraditionofhisclass，inwhicheducationorstatesmanshipmaynodoubtbeacquiredbythosewhohaveaturnforthem，butinwhichinsolence，derision，profligacy，obscenejesting，debtcontracting，androwdymischievousness，givecontinualscandaltothepious，serious，industrious，solventbourgeois。Nootherclassisinfatuatedenoughtobelievethatgentlemenarebornandnotmadebyaveryelaborateprocessofculture。Evenkingsaretaughtandcoachedanddrilledfromtheirearliestboyhoodtoplaytheirpart。Butthemanoffamily（IamconvincedthatShakespeartookthatviewofhimself）willplungeintosocietywithoutalessonintablemanners，intopoliticswithoutalessoninhistory，intothecitywithoutalessoninbusiness，andintothearmywithoutalessoninhonor。
Ithasbeensaid，withtheobjectofprovingShakespearalaborer，thathecouldhardlywritehisname。Why？Becausehe\"hadnottheadvantageofamiddle-classtraining。\"Shakespearhimselftellsus，throughHamlet，thatgentlemenpurposelywrotebadlylesttheyshouldbemistakenforscriveners；butmostofthem，thenasnow，wrotebadlybecausetheycouldnotwriteanybetter。Inshort，thewholerangeofShakespear’sfoibles：thesnobbishness，thenaughtiness，thecontemptfortradesmenandmechanics，theassumptionthatwittyconversationcanonlymeansmuttyconversation，theflunkeyismtowardssocialsuperiorsandinsolencetowardssocialinferiors，theeasywayswithservantswhichisseennotonlybetweenTheTwoGentlemenofVeronaandtheirvalets，butintheaffectionandrespectinspiredbyagreatservantlikeAdam：allthesearethecharacteristicsofEtonandHarrow，notofthepublicelementaryorprivateadventureschool。
Theyprove，aseverythingweknowaboutShakespearsuggests，thathethoughtoftheShakespearsandArdensasfamiliesofconsequence，andregardedhimselfasagentlemanunderacloudthroughhisfather’sillluckinbusiness，andneverforamomentasamanofthepeople。Thisisatoncetheexplanationofandexcuseforhissnobbery。Hewasnotaparvenutryingtocoverhishumbleoriginwithapurchasedcoatofarms：hewasagentlemanresumingwhatheconceivedtobehisnaturalpositionassoonashegainedthemeanstokeepitup。
ThisSideIdolatryThereisanothermatterwhichIthinkMrHarrisshouldponder。HesaysthatShakespearwasbut\"littleesteemedbyhisowngeneration。\"
HeevendescribesJonson’sdescriptionofhis\"littleLatinandlessGreek\"asasneer，whereasitoccursinanunmistakablysincereeulogyofShakespear，writtenafterhisdeath，andisclearlymeanttoheightentheimpressionofShakespear’sprodigiousnaturalendowmentsbypointingoutthattheywerenotduetoscholasticacquirements。
NowthereisasenseinwhichitistrueenoughthatShakespearwastoolittleesteemedbyhisowngeneration，or，forthematterofthat，byanysubsequentgeneration。ThebargeesontheRegent’sCanaldonotchantShakespear’sversesasthegondoliersinVenicearesaidtochanttheversesofTasso（apracticewhichwassuspendedforsomereasonduringmystayinVenice：atleastnogondoliereverdiditinmyhearing）。ShakespearisnomoreapopularauthorthanRodinisapopularsculptororRichardStraussapopularcomposer。ButShakespearwascertainlynotsuchafoolastoexpecttheToms，Dicks，andHarrysofhistimetobeanymoreinterestedindramaticpoetrythanNewton，lateron，expectedthemtobeinterestedinfluxions。
AndwhenwecometothequestionwhetherShakespearmissedthatassurancewhichallgreatmenhavehadfromthemorecapableandsusceptiblemembersoftheirgenerationthattheyweregreatmen，BenJonson’sevidencedisposesofsoimprobableanotionatonceandforever。\"Ilovedtheman，\"saysBen，\"thissideidolatry，aswellasany。\"Nowwhyinthenameofcommonsenseshouldhehavemadethatqualificationunlesstherehadbeen，notonlyidolatry，butidolatryfulsomeenoughtoirritateJonsonintoanexpressdisavowalofit？
Jonson，thebricklayer，musthavefeltsoresometimeswhenShakespearspokeandwroteofbricklayersashisinferiors。Hemusthavefeltitalittlehardthatbeingabetterscholar，andperhapsabraverandtoughermanphysicallythanShakespear，hewasnotsosuccessfulorsowellliked。ButinspiteofthishepraisedShakespeartotheutmoststretchofhispowersofeulogy：infact，notwithstandinghisdisclaimer，hedidnotstop\"thissideidolatry。\"If，therefore，evenJonsonfelthimselfforcedtoclearhimselfofextravaganceandabsurdityinhisappreciationofShakespear，theremusthavebeenmanypeopleaboutwhoidolizedShakespearasAmericanladiesidolizePaderewski，andwhocarriedBardolatry，evenintheBard’sowntime，toanextentthatthreatenedtomakehisreasonableadmirersridiculous。
Shakespear’sPessimismIsubmittoMrHarristhatbyrulingoutthisidolatry，anditspossibleeffectinmakingShakespearthinkthathispublicwouldstandanythingfromhim，hehasruledoutafarmoreplausibleexplanationofthefaultsofsuchaplayasTimonofAthensthanhistheorythatShakespear’spassionfortheDarkLady\"cankeredandtookonproudfleshinhim，andtorturedhimtonervousbreakdownandmadness。\"InTimontheintellectualbankruptcyisobviousenough：Shakespeartriedoncetoooftentomakeaplayoutofthecheappessimismwhichisthrownintodespairbyacomparisonofactualhumannaturewiththeoreticalmorality，actuallawandadministrationwithabstractjustice，andsoforth。ButShakespear’sperceptionofthefactthatallmen，judgedbythemoralstandardwhichtheyapplytoothersandbywhichtheyjustifytheirpunishmentofothers，arefoolsandscoundrels，doesnotdatefromtheDarkLadycomplication：heseemstohavebeenbornwithit。IfinTheComedyofErrorsandAMidsummerNight’sDreamthepersonsofthedramaarenotquitesoreadyfortreacheryandmurderasLaertesandevenHamlethimself（nottomentiontheprocessionofruffianswhopassthroughthelatestplays）
itiscertainlynotbecausetheyhaveanymoreregardforlaworreligion。ThereisonlyoneplaceinShakespear’splayswherethesenseofshameisusedasahumanattribute；andthatiswhereHamletisashamed，notofanythinghehimselfhasdone，butofhismother’srelationswithhisuncle。Thissceneisanunnaturalone：theson’sreproachestohismother，eventhefactofhisbeingabletodiscussthesubjectwithher，ismorerepulsivethanherrelationswithherdeceasedhusband’sbrother。
Here，too，ShakespearbetraysforoncehisreligioussensebymakingHamlet，inhisagonyofshame，declarethathismother’sconductmakes\"sweetreligionarhapsodyofwords。\"ButforthatpassagewemightalmostsupposethatthefeelingofSundaymorninginthecountrywhichOrlandodescribessoperfectlyinAsYouLikeItwasthebeginningandendofShakespear’snotionofreligion。Isayalmost，becauseIsabellainMeasureforMeasurehasreligiouscharm，inspiteoftheconventionaltheatricalassumptionthatfemalereligionmeansaninhumanlyferociouschastity。ButforthemostpartShakespeardifferentiateshisheroesfromhisvillainsmuchmorebywhattheydothanbywhattheyare。DonJohninMuchAdoisatruevillain：amanwithamaliciouswill；butheistoodulladuffertobeofanyuseinaleadingpart；andwhenwecometothegreatvillainslikeMacbeth，wefind，asMrHarrispointsout，thattheyarepreciselyidenticalwiththeheroes：MacbethisonlyHamletincongruouslycommittingmurdersandengaginginhand-to-handcombats。AndHamlet，whodoesnotdreamofapologizingforthethreemurdershecommits，isalwaysapologizingbecausehehasnotyetcommittedafourth，andfinds，tohisgreatbewilderment，thathedoesnotwanttocommitit。\"Itcannotbe，\"hesays，\"butIampigeon-livered，andlackgalltomakeoppressionbitter；else，erethis，Ishouldhavefattedalltheregionkiteswiththisslave’soffal。\"ReallyoneistemptedtosuspectthatwhenShylockasks\"Hatesanymanthethinghewouldnotkill？\"heisexpressingthenaturalandpropersentimentsofthehumanraceasShakespearunderstoodthem，andnotthevindictivenessofastageJew。
GaietyofGeniusInviewofthesefacts，itisdangeroustociteShakespear’spessimismasevidenceofthedespairofaheartbrokenbytheDarkLady。Thereisanirrepressiblegaietyofgeniuswhichenablesittobearthewholeweightoftheworld’smiserywithoutblenching。Thereisalaughalwaysreadytoavengeitstearsofdiscouragement。InthelineswhichMrHarrisquotesonlytodeclarethathecanmakenothingofthem，andtocondemnthemasoutofcharacter，RichardIII，immediatelyafterpityinghimselfbecauseThereisnocreaturelovesmeAndifIdienosoulwillpityme，adds，withagrin，Nay，whereforeshouldthey，sincethatImyselfFindinmyselfnopityformyself？
LetmeagainremindMrHarrisofOscarWilde。WealldreadedtoreadDeProfundis：ourinstinctwastostopourears，orrunawayfromthewailofabroken，thoughbynomeanscontrite，heart。Butwewerethrowingawayourpity。DeProfundiswasdeprofundisindeed：Wildewastoogoodadramatisttothrowawaysopowerfulaneffect；butnonethelessitwasdeprofundisinexcelsis。Therewasmorelaughterbetweenthelinesofthatbookthaninathousandfarcesbymenofnogenius。Wilde，likeRichardandShakespear，foundinhimselfnopityforhimself。Thereisnothingthatmarkstheborndramatistmoreunmistakablythanthisdiscoveryofcomedyinhisownmisfortunesalmostinproportiontothepathoswithwhichtheordinarymanannouncestheirtragedy。IcannotforthelifeofmeseethebrokenheartinShakespear’slatestworks。\"Hark，hark！thelarkatheaven’sgatesings\"isnotthelyricofabrokenman；norisCloten’scommentthatifImogendoesnotappreciateit，\"itisaviceinherearswhichhorsehairs，andcats’guts，andthevoiceofunpavedeunuchtoboot，canneveramend，\"thesallyofasaddenedone。IsitnotclearthattothelasttherewasinShakespearanincorrigibledivinelevity，aninexhaustiblejoythatderidedsorrow？ThinkofthepoorDarkLadyhavingtostanduptothisunbearablepowerofextractingagrimfunfromeverything。MrHarriswritesasifShakespeardidallthesufferingandtheDarkLadyallthecruelty。ButwhydoeshenotputhimselfintheDarkLady’splaceforamomentashehasputhimselfsosuccessfullyinShakespear’s？Imagineherreadingthehundredandthirtiethsonnet！
Mymistress’eyesarenothinglikethesun；
Coralisfarmoreredthanherlips’red；
Ifsnowbewhite，whythenherbreastsaredun；
Ifhairsbewire，blackwiresgrowonherhead；
Ihaveseenrosesdamasked，redandwhite，ButnosuchrosesseeIinhercheeks；
AndinsomeperfumesistheremoredelightThaninthebreaththatfrommymistressreeks。
Ilovetohearherspeak；yetwellIknowThatmusichathafarmorepleasingsound。
IgrantIneversawagoddessgo：
Mymistress，whenshewalks，treadsontheground。
Andyet，byheaven，IthinkmyloveasrareAsanyshebeliedwithfalsecompare。
TakethisasasampleofthesortofcomplimentfromwhichshewasneverforamomentsafewithShakespear。Bearinmindthatshewasnotacomedian；thattheElizabethanfashionoftreatingbrunettesasuglywomanmusthavemadeherrathersoreonthesubjectofhercomplexion；thatnohumanbeing，maleorfemale，canconceivablyenjoybeingchaffedonthatpointinthefourthcoupletabouttheperfumes；
thatShakespear’srevulsions，asthesonnetimmediatelyprecedingshews，wereasviolentashisardors，andwereexpressedwiththerealisticpowerandhorrorthatmakesHamletsaythattheheavensgotsickwhentheysawthequeen’sconduct；andthenaskMrHarriswhetheranywomancouldhavestooditforlong，orhavethoughtthe\"sugred\"
complimentworththecruelwounds，thecleavingoftheheartintwain，thatseemedtoShakespearasnaturalandamusingareactionastheburlesquingofhisheroicsbyPistol，hissermonsbyFalstaff，andhispoemsbyClotenandTouchstone。
JupiterandSemeleThisdoesnotmeanthatShakespearwascruel：evidentlyhewasnot；
butitwasnotcrueltythatmadeJupiterreduceSemeletoashes：itwasthefactthathecouldnothelpbeingagodnorshehelpbeingamortal。TheonethingShakespear’spassionfortheDarkLadywasnot，waswhatMrHarrisinonepassagecallsit：idolatrous。Ifithadbeen，shemighthavebeenabletostandit。Themanwho\"dotesyetdoubts，suspects，yetstronglyloves，\"istolerableevenbyaspoiltandtyrannicalmistress；butwhatwomancouldpossiblyendureamanwhodoteswithoutdoubting；who_knows_，andwhoishugelyamusedattheabsurdityofhisinfatuationforawomanofwhosemortalimperfectionsnotoneescapeshim：amanalwaysexchanginggrinswithYorick’sskull，andinviting\"mylady\"tolaughatthesepulchralhumorofthefactthatthoughshepaintaninchthick（whichtheDarkLadymayhavedone），toYorick’sfavorshemustcomeatlast。TotheDarkLadyhemustsometimeshaveseemedcruelbeyonddescription：anintellectualCaliban。True，aCalibanwhocouldsayBenotafeard：theisleisfullofnoisesSoundsandsweetairsthatgivedelightandhurtnot。
SometimesathousandtwanglinginstrumentsWillhumaboutmineears；andsometimesvoices，That，ifIthenhadwakedafterlongsleepWillmakemesleepagain；andthen，indreaming，Theclouds，methought，wouldopenandshewrichesReadytodroponme：thatwhenIwak’dIcriedtodreamagain。
whichisverylovely；buttheDarkLadymayhavehadthatviceinherearswhichClotendreaded：shemaynothaveseenthebeautyofit，whereastherecanbenodoubtatallthatof\"Mymistress’eyesarenothinglikethesun，\"&c。，notawordwaslostonher。
AndisittobesupposedthatShakespearwastoostupidortoomodestnottoseeatlastthatitwasacaseofJupiterandSemele？
Shakespearwasmostcertainlynotmodestinthatsense。Thetimidcoughoftheminorpoetwasneverheardfromhim。
Notmarble，northegildedmonumentsOfprinces，shalloutlivethispowerfulrhymeisonlyoneoutofadozenpassagesinwhichhe（possiblywithakeensenseofthefunofscandalizingthemodestcoughers）proclaimedhisplaceandhispowerin\"thewideworlddreamingofthingstocome。\"
TheDarkLadymostlikelythoughtthissideofhiminsufferablyconceited；forthereisnoreasontosupposethatshelikedhisplaysanybetterthanMinnaWagnerlikedRichard’smusicdramas：aslikelyasnot，shethoughtTheSpanishTragedyworthsixHamlets。Hewasnotstupideither：ifhisclasslimitationsandaprofessionthatcuthimofffromactualparticipationingreataffairsofStatehadnotconfinedhisopportunitiesofintellectualandpoliticaltrainingtoprivateconversationandtotheMermaidTavern，hewouldprobablyhavebecomeoneoftheablestmenofhistimeinsteadofbeingmerelyitsablestplaywright。OnemightsurmisethatShakespearfoundoutthattheDarkLady’sbrainscouldnomorekeeppacewithhisthanAnneHathaway’s，iftherewereanyevidencethattheirfriendshipceasedwhenhestoppedwritingsonnetstoher。Asamatteroffacttheconsolidationofapassionintoanenduringintimacygenerallyputsanendtosonnets。
ThattheDarkLadybrokeShakespear’sheart，asMrHarriswillhaveitshedid，isanextremelyunShakespearianhypothesis。\"Menhavediedfromtimetotime，andwormshaveeatenthem；butnotforlove，\"saysRosalind。RichardofGloster，intowhomShakespearputallhisownimpishsuperioritytovulgarsentiment，exclaimsAndthisword\"love，\"whichgreybeardscalldivine，BeresidentinmenlikeoneanotherAndnotinme：Iammyselfalone。
HamlethasnotatearforOphelia：herdeathmoveshimtofiercedisgustforthesentimentalityofLaertesbyhergrave；andwhenhediscussesthescenewithHoratioimmediatelyafter，heutterlyforgetsher，thoughheissorryheforgothimself，andjumpsattheproposalofafencingmatchtofinishthedaywith。AsagainstthisviewMrHarrispleadsRomeo，Orsino，andevenAntonio；andhedoesitsopenetratinglythatheconvincesyouthatShakespeardidbetrayhimselfagainandagaininthesecharacters；butself-betrayalisonething；
andself-portrayal，asinHamletandMercutio，isanother。Shakespearnever\"sawhimself，\"asactorssay，inRomeoorOrsinoorAntonio。InMrHarris’sownplayShakespearispresentedwiththemostpathetictenderness。Heistragic，bitter，pitiable，wretchedandbrokenamongarobustcrowdofJonsonsandElizabeths；buttomeheisnotShakespearbecauseImisstheShakespearianironyandtheShakespeariangaiety。TaketheseawayandShakespearisnolongerShakespear：allthebite，theimpetus，thestrength，thegrimdelightinhisownpoweroflookingterriblefactsinthefacewithachuckle，isgone；andyouhavenothingleftbutthatmostdepressingofallthings：avictim。NowwhocanthinkofShakespearasamanwithagrievance？EveninthatmostthoroughgoingandinspiredofallShakespear’sloves：hisloveofmusic（whichMrHarrishasbeenthefirsttoappreciateatanythinglikeitsvalue），thereisadashofmockery。\"Spitinthehole，man；andtuneagain。\"\"Divineair！Nowishissoulravished。Isitnotstrangethatsheep’sgutsshouldhalethesoulsoutofmen’sbodies？\"\"Anhehadbeenadogthatshouldhavehowledthus，theywouldhavehangedhim。\"ThereisjustasmuchShakespearhereasintheinevitablequotationaboutthesweetsouthandthebankofviolets。
IlaystressonthisironyofShakespear’s，thisimpishrejoicinginpessimism，thisexultationinwhatbreakstheheartsofcommonmen，notonlybecauseitisdiagnosticofthatimmenseenergyoflifewhichwecallgenius，butbecauseitsomissionistheoneglaringdefectinMrHarris’sotherwiseextraordinarilypenetratingbook。Fortunately，itisanomissionthatdoesnotdisablethebookas（inmyjudgment）
itdisabledtheherooftheplay，becauseMrHarrislefthimselfoutofhisplay，whereashepervadeshisbook，mordant，deep-voiced，andwithanunconquerablestylewhichistheman。
TheIdoloftheBardolatersThereisevenanadvantageinhavingabookonShakespearwiththeShakespearianironyleftoutofaccount。Idonotsaythatthemissingchaptershouldnotbeaddedinthenextedition：thehiatusistoogreat：itleavesthereadertoouneasybeforethistouchingpictureofawrithingwormsubstitutedfortheinvulnerablegiant。
ButitisnonethelessprobablethatinnootherwaycouldMrHarrishavegotathismanashehas。For，afterall，whatisthesecretofthehopelessfailureoftheacademicBardolaterstogiveusacredibleoreveninterestingShakespear，andtheeasytriumphofMrHarrisingivingusboth？SimplythatMrHarrishasassumedthathewasdealingwithaman，whilsttheothershaveassumedthattheywerewritingaboutagod，andhavethereforerejectedeveryconsiderationoffact，tradition，orinterpretation，thatpointedtoanyhumanimperfectionintheirhero。TheythusleavethemselveswithsolittlematerialthattheyareforcedtobeginbysayingthatweknowverylittleaboutShakespear。Asamatteroffact，withtheplaysandsonnetsinourhands，weknowmuchmoreaboutShakespearthanweknowaboutDickensorThackeray：theonlydifficultyisthatwedeliberatelysuppressitbecauseitprovesthatShakespearwasnotonlyveryunliketheconceptionofagodcurrentinClapham，butwasnot，accordingtothesamereckoning，evenarespectableman。TheacademicviewstartswithaShakespearwhowasnotscurrilous；thereforetheversesabout\"lousyLucy\"cannothavebeenwrittenbyhim，andthecognatepassagesintheplaysareeitherstrokesofcharacter-drawingorgagsinterpolatedbytheactors。ThisidealShakespearwastoowellbehavedtogetdrunk；
thereforethetraditionthathisdeathwashastenedbyadrinkingboutwithJonsonandDraytonmustberejected，andtheremorseofCassiotreatedasathingobserved，notexperienced：nay，thedisgustofHamletatthedrinkingcustomsofDenmarkistakentoestablishShakespearasthesuperiorofAlexanderinself-control，andthegreatestofteetotallers。
Nowthissystemofinventingyourgreatmantostartwith，andthenrejectingallthematerialsthatdonotfithim，withtheridiculousresultthatyouhavetodeclarethattherearenomaterialsatall（withyourwaste-paperbasketfullofthem），endsinleavingShakespearwithamuchworsecharacterthanhedeserves。ForthoughitdoesnotgreatlymatterwhetherhewrotethelousyLucylinesornot，anddoesnotreallymatteratallwhetherhegotdrunkwhenhemadeanightofitwithJonsonandDrayton，thesonnetsraiseanunpleasantquestionwhichdoesmatteragooddeal；andtherefusaloftheacademicBardolaterstodiscussorevenmentionthisquestionhashadtheeffectofproducingasilentverdictagainstShakespear。MrHarristacklesthequestionopenly，andhasnodifficultywhateverinconvincingusthatShakespearwasamanofnormalconstitutionsexually，andwasnotthevictimofthatmostcruelandpitiableofallthefreaksofnature：thefreakwhichtransposesthenormalaimoftheaffections。Silenceonthispointmeanscondemnation；andthecondemnationhasbeengeneralthroughoutthepresentgeneration，thoughitonlyneededMrHarris’sfearlesshandlingofthemattertosweepawaywhatisnothingbutamorbidandverydisagreeablemodernfashion。Thereisalwayssomestockaccusationbroughtagainsteminentpersons。WhenIwasaboyeverywell-knownmanwasaccusedofbeatinghiswife。Lateron，forsomeunexplainedreason，hewasaccusedofpsychopathicderangement。Andthisfashionisretrospective。ThecasesofShakespearandMichelAngeloarecitedasprovingthateverygeniusofthefirstmagnitudewasasufferer；andbothhereandinGermanytherearecirclesinwhichsuchderangementisgrotesquelyreverencedaspartofthestigmataofheroicpowers。
Allofwhichisgrossnonsense。Unfortunately，inShakespear’scase，prudery，whichcannotpreventtheaccusationfrombeingwhispered，doespreventtherefutationfrombeingshouted。MrHarris，thedeep-voiced，refusestobesilenced。HedismisseswithpropercontemptthestupiditywhichplacesanoutrageousconstructiononShakespear’sapologiesinthesonnetsforneglectingthat\"perfectceremony\"oflovewhichconsistsinreturningcallsandmakingprotestationsandgivingpresentsandpayingthetrumperyattentionswhichmenofgeniusalwaysrefusetobotherabout，andtowhichtouchypeoplewhohavenogeniusattachsomuchimportance。Noleaderwhohadnotbeentamperedwithbythepsychopathicmonomaniacscouldeverputanyconstructionbuttheobviousandinnocentoneonthesepassages。ButthegeneralvocabularyofthesonnetstoPembroke（orwhoever\"MrW。H。\"reallywas）issooverchargedaccordingtomodernideasthatareplyonthegeneralcaseisnecessary。
Shakespear’sallegedSycophancyandPerversionThatreply，whichMrHarrisdoesnothesitatetogive，istwofold：
first，thatShakespearwas，inhisattitudetowardsearls，asycophant；and，second，thatthenormalityofShakespear’ssexualconstitutionisonlytoowellattestedbytheexcessivesusceptibilitytothenormalimpulseshewninthewholemassofhiswritings。Thislatteristhereallyconclusivereply。InthecaseofMichelAngelo，forinstance，onemustadmitthatifhisworksaresetbesidethoseofTitianorPaulVeronese，itisimpossiblenottobestruckbytheabsenceintheFlorentineofthatsusceptibilitytofemininecharmwhichpervadesthepicturesoftheVenetians。But，asMrHarrispointsout（thoughhedoesnotusethisparticularillustration）PaulVeroneseisananchoritecomparedtoShakespear。ThelanguageofthesonnetsaddressedtoPembroke，extravagantasitnowseems，isthelanguageofcomplimentandfashion，transfigurednodoubtbyShakespear’sverbalmagic，andhyperbolical，asShakespearalwaysseemstopeoplewhocannotconceivesovividlyashe，butstillunmistakableforanythingelsethantheexpressionofafriendshipdelicateenoughtobewounded，andamanlyloyaltydeepenoughtobeoutraged。ButthelanguageofthesonnetstotheDarkLadyisthelanguageofpassion：theircrueltyshewsit。ThereisnoevidencethatShakespearwascapableofbeingunkindincoldblood。Butinhisrevulsionsfromlove，hewasbitter，wounding，evenferocious；sparingneitherhimselfnortheunfortunatewomanwhoseonlyoffencewasthatshehadreducedthegreatmantothecommonhumandenominator。
InseizingonthesetwopointsMrHarrishasmadesosureastroke，andplacedhisevidencesofeatlythatthereisnothingleftformetodobuttopleadthatthesecondissounderthanthefirst，whichis，I
think，markedbytheprevalentmistakeastoShakespear’ssocialposition，or，ifyoupreferit，theconfusionbetweenhisactualsocialpositionasapennilesstradesman’ssontakingtothetheatreforalivelihood，andhisownconceptionofhimselfasagentlemanofgoodfamily。IampreparedtocontendthatthoughShakespearwasundoubtedlysentimentalinhisexpressionsofdevotiontoMrW。H。
eventoapointwhichnowadaysmakesbothridiculous，hewasnotsycophanticifMrW。H。wasreallyattractiveandpromising，andShakespeardeeplyattachedtohim。Asycophantdoesnottellhispatronthathisfamewillsurvive，notintherenownofhisownactions，butinthesonnetsofhissycophant。Asycophant，whenhispatroncutshimoutinaloveaffair，doesnottellhispatronexactlywhathethinksofhim。Aboveall，asycophantdoesnotwritetohispatronpreciselyashefeelsonalloccasions；andthisrarekindofsincerityisalloverthesonnets。Shakespear，wearetold，was\"averycivilgentleman。\"Thismustmeanthathisdesiretopleasepeopleandbelikedbythem，andhisreluctancetohurttheirfeelings，ledhimintoamiableflatteryevenwhenhisfeelingswerenotstronglystirred。IfthisbetakenintoaccountalongwiththefactthatShakespearconceivedandexpressedallhisemotionswithavehemencethatsometimescarriedhimintoludicrousextravagance，makingRichardofferhiskingdomforahorseandOthellodeclareofCassiothatHadallhishairsbeenlives，mygreatrevengeHadstomachforthemall，weshallseemorecivilityandhyperbolethansycophancyevenintheearlierandmorecoldbloodedsonnets。
ShakespearandDemocracyNowtakethegeneralcasepledagainstShakespearasanenemyofdemocracybyTolstoy，thelateErnestCrosbieandothers，andendorsedbyMrHarris。Willitreallystandfire？MrHarrisemphasizesthepassagesinwhichShakespearspokeofmechanicsandevenofsmallmastertradesmenasbasepersonswhoseclothesweregreasy，whosebreathwasrank，andwhosepoliticalimbecilityandcapricemovedCoriolanustosaytotheRomanRadicalwhodemandedatleast\"goodwords\"fromhimHethatwillgivegoodwordstotheewillflatterBeneathabhorring。
Butletusbehonest。Aspoliticalsentimentstheselinesareanabominationtoeverydemocrat。Butsupposetheyarenotpoliticalsentiments！Supposetheyaremerelyarecordofobservedfact。JohnStuartMilltoldourBritishworkmenthattheyweremostlyliars。