Shakespeare’s Characters
ERCUTIO is probably one of the most satisfactory of Shakespeare’s characters to dissect. He is less complex and less open to ingenious theories than Hamlet, and he appears in the youthful Romeo and Juliet as the one outstanding character, Consequently he can be allowed to speak for himself-which he. does with great force and wit-and still stand out in relief against his background. This BBC production in the series of Shakespeare's Characters, arranged by Herbert Farjeon and_ produced by Mary Hope Allen, was a worthwhile one for any listener. Even those who like their Shakespeare served up whole would have found this particular dissection less barbarous than many, But I am not sure that in a programme of this type it was necessary to trace the rather obscure origins of plot and character. While this is interesting and valuable to the Shakespear-
ean scholar, it is the sort of thing that discourages the average listener from programmes of this sort, An analysis of Mercutio’s character may well add to one’s understanding and appreciation of the play; but to have its source revealed is going to help nobody-except the scholar who passes his examinations on just such information. And for him the text-books are written.
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 430, 19 September 1947, Page 9
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206Shakespeare’s Characters New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 430, 19 September 1947, Page 9
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