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Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance. cover

Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

Chapter 101: ACT II.
By Francis Douce
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About This Book

Annotated commentaries on Shakespeare's plays combine explanatory notes, historical and antiquarian research, and woodcut illustrations. The compiler clarifies obsolete words and customs, supplies critical emendations, and includes specific essays on comic personae such as clowns and fools, the influence of the medieval Gesta Romanorum on one drama, and the English morris dance. The preface reflects on the aims and methods of commentary and earlier editors; the notes range from linguistic glosses to cultural digressions intended to illuminate stage practice and popular sources while occasionally settling disputes between critics.

COMEDY OF ERRORS.

ACT II.

Scene 1. Page 228.

Dro. E. Will you come home? quoth I; my gold, quoth he.

The word home, which the metre requires, is said to have been suggested by Capell, but it had been already adopted by Sir Thomas Hanmer.

Scene 2. Page 234.

Ant. S. If you will jest with me, know my aspéct.

Mr. Steevens explains this, study my countenance. It seems rather to be an astrological phrase, and to mean, ascertain whether my aspect be malignant or benign. He had just before mentioned the sun. Thus in 1 Henry IV. Act I. Scene 1, "Malevolent to you in all aspécts."

Scene 2. Page 241.

Adr. Thou art an elm my husband, I a vine;
 If aught possess thee from me, it is dross,
 Usurping Ivy, briar or idle moss.

So in A midsummer night's dream, Act IV. Scene 1, "The female ivy so enrings the barky fingers of the elm." There is something extremely beautiful in making the vine the lawful spouse of the elm, and the parasite plants here named its concubines.

ACT III.

Scene 1. Page 248.

Dro. S. Mome, malthorse, capon, coxcomb, idiot, patch!

Sir J. Hawkins would derive mome from the French momon, the challenge at dice made by a mummer or silent person disguised in masquerade. It more probably came to us from one of those similar words that are found in many languages signifying something foolish. Momar is used by Plautus for a fool, whence the French mommeur. The Greeks too had μομος and μορμος in the same sense.

Scene 2. Page 257.

Ant. S. Less in your knowledge and your grace, you show not,
 Than our earth's wonder, more than earth divine.

This play abounds so much in anachronisms, that there will be no impropriety in supposing the above simile to have been designed as a compliment to the reigning sovereign. Pronounced with emphasis, it would not fail to make a due impression on the audience.

ACT IV.

Scene 3. Page 280.

Dro. S. What, have you got the picture of old Adam new apparell'd?

Here seems to be an allusion to some well-known contemporary painting, perhaps of a sign. "Adam whom God dyd fyrst create, made the fyrst lether coates for himself and his wyfe Eve our old mother, leavyng thereby a patron to al his posterite of that crafte." Polydore Vergil de rer. invent. translated by Langley, fo. lxix. Similar instances had before occurred in the picture of we three, and Mistress Mall.