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A DRAMATIC CRITIC
constantly prominent by the tragedian's
methods, certain definite and necessary
results were reached. Hamlet differs from
Shakespeare's other tragic heroes both in
his supernatural experience and in his
unique spiritual constitution. The grim
effects of jealousy upon Othello and of
ambition upon Macbeth, the griefs which
work their torture and their transforma-
tion upon King Lear, do not separate these
men from others of the human family, —
rather ally them with every human crea-
ture. But the bark of Hamlet's misfor-
tunes is borne upon a current whose dark
waters flow from the undiscovered coun-
try. Macbeth questions with witches and
is visited by ghosts, but at every step his
path is shown to be of his own making.
To Hamlet, by the conditions of his life
and his soul, is given the largest oppor-
tunity for choice, and the smallest power
of choosing. Mr. Booth, with careful and
scrupulous art and full success, attempted
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