Pictorial Shakespeare, 1880-1890 - eTheses Repository - University ...

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each of the plays in the Shakespeare canon: the series which
begins in February,1885, deals with general principles and
with Godwin's own experiences as a designer. Thus, tho first
article (February 8) argues that "stage pictures of the past
times should be treated pari passu, as life itself is treated
by the dramatist % and contains the suggestion which 1'ilde was
reflecting (if not copying intentionally) in hie revicv/ of
Helena in Troasi
The archaeologist, in a word, must be
an artist, endowed with the oona© of form and
colour, having constructive-loss well developed,
and in sympathy with the dr;.r,v'tic purpose.
Distinctions must be made in understanding the requirements of
different periods: the eighteenth century demands attention
fin t and foremost to tho fine details of dresc and habit,
whereas "tho higher poetical drama represented by Shakespeare"
needc, "first of all, for its costume, scenory and properties,
artistic treatment". The ar sumntion behind this is the fauiliar
Victorian one - that Shakespeare end "higher poetical" plays
are to be treated in an idealized manner. The rir^r.iont, in
its least enlightened form, was used agrinst the "re;'linn" of
Godwin's and ,/ingfield*s ^reductions by ciueb critics as Clcnont
Scott, and it is interesting to sec that G-o