A course of lectures on dramatic art and literature . it-statues of two of the most cele-brated comic writers, Menander and Posidippus (in the Vati-can), the physiognomy of the Greek New Comedy ajjpears to meto be almost visibly and personally expressed. Clad in themost simple dress, and holding a roll in their hands, they aresitting in arm-chairs with all tlie ease and self-possessionwhich mark the conscious superiority of the master j and inthat maturity of age which befits the undisturbed impartialobservation which is requisite for Comedy, but yet hale andactive, and free from all symptoms
A course of lectures on dramatic art and literature . it-statues of two of the most cele-brated comic writers, Menander and Posidippus (in the Vati-can), the physiognomy of the Greek New Comedy ajjpears to meto be almost visibly and personally expressed. Clad in themost simple dress, and holding a roll in their hands, they aresitting in arm-chairs with all tlie ease and self-possessionwhich mark the conscious superiority of the master j and inthat maturity of age which befits the undisturbed impartialobservation which is requisite for Comedy, but yet hale andactive, and free from all symptoms of decay. We recognisein them that corporeal vigour, which testifies at once to equalsoundness both of mind and of temper; no lofty enthusiasm,but at the same time nothing of folly or extravagance; ratherdoes a sage seriousness dwell on a brow wrinkled indeed,though not with care, but with the exercise of thought; whilein the quick-searching eye, and in the mouth half curlinginto a smile, we have the unmistakable indications of a lightplayful 200 THE ROJIAX TUEATUE. LECTURE XV. Roman Tlieatre—Native kinds : Atellane Fables, Mimes, Comoedia To-gata—Greek Tragedy transplanted to Rome—Tragic Authors of a formerEpocli, and of the Augustan Age—Idea of a National Roman Tragedy—Causes of the want of success of the Romans in Tragedy—Seneca. The examination of the natnre of the Drama in general, aswell as the consideration of the Greek theatre, which was aspeculiar in its origin as in its maturity it was actually per-fect, have hitherto alone occupied our attention. Our noticeof the dramatic literature of most of the other nations, whichprincipally call for consideration, must be marked with greaterbrevity; and yet, we are not afraid that Ave shall be accusedin either case of either disproportionate length or concise-ness. And first, with respect to the Romans, whose theatre is inevery way immediately attached to that of the Greeks, wehave only, as it were, to notice
Size: 1506px × 1658px
Photo credit: © The Reading Room / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: ., bookauthorschl, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, booksubjectdrama
