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144William Shakespeare3. Goethe’s “Conversations with Eckermann,” Feb. 24, 1824.4. Flathe, who ordinarily finds all preceding critics wrong andhimself profoundly right, discovers in King Lear Shakspere’s“warning letter against naturalism and pseudo-rationalism;” theplay is translated into a didactic discourse on infidelity.5. Coleridge writes, “The first four or five lines of the play letus know that the trial is but a trick; and that the grossness ofthe old King’s rage is in part the natural result of a silly tricksuddenly and most unexpectedly baffled and disappointed.” Dr.Bucknill maintains that the partition of the kingdom is “thefirst act of Lear’s developing insanity.” Shakespeare-Jahrbuch, vol.II, contains a short and interesting article by Ulrici on “LudwigDevrient as King Lear.” That great actor, if Ulrici might trust hisown impression, would seem to have understood the first sceneof the play in the sense in which Ulrici himself explains it—viz.,that Lear’s demand for a declaration of his daughter’s love wassudden and sportive, made partly to pass the time until thearrival of Burgundy and France. Having assigned their portionsto Goneril and Regan, there could not be a serious meaning inLear’s words to Cordelia:“What can you say to drawA third more opulent than your sisters?”The words were said with a smile, yet, at the same time, witha secret and clinging desire for the demonstration of lovedemanded. All the more is Lear surprised and offended byCordelia’s earnest and almost judicial reply. But Cordelia is atonce suppressing and in this way manifesting her indignationagainst her sisters’ heartless flattery.6. It is Goneril who first suggests the plucking-out of Gloucester’seyes. The points of contrast between the sisters are well broughtout by Gervinus.7. “Lectures on Dramatic Art,” translated by J. Black, p. 412.8. Gloucester (Act I, Sc. 1) says of Edmund, “He hath been outnine years, and away he shall again.”9. This and the quotation next following will be remembered byreaders of “Romola;” they occur in that memorable chapterentitled “Tito’s Dilemma.”10. Words of Lear (Act V, Sc. 3).11. Butler, “ Analogy,” Part I, Ch. III.