The Wisdom and Genius of Shakespeare: Comprising Moral Philosophy Delineations of Character Paintings of Nature and the Passions Seven Hundred Aphorisms and Miscellaneous Pieces

Excerpt from The Wisdom and Genius of Shakespeare: Comprising Moral Philosophy Delineations of Character Paintings of Nature and the Passions Seven Hundred Aphorisms and Miscellaneous Pieces

Many works consisting of compilations from the writings of Shakspeare have already appeared under different forms, but I am not aware that any thing has ever been attempted on the plan of the work now presented to the public. My principal object has been to exhibit the Wisdom and Genius of our author, as these are reflected in his lucid pages, which have been justly characterized "the richest, the purest, the fairest which genius uninspired ever laid open."

The first Section contains the Morals of Shakspeare, which are very numerous and of an exalted character. There is more moral knowledge contained in a few lines, or a sentence of our author, than is to be found in a whole chapter of those works which treat expressly of Moral science. There is one thing worthy of special observation in the Morals of Shakspeare, which presents his character in a very interesting light; I refer to the strong tincture which they have of Divine truth, affording evidence of his mind having been deeply imbued with the pure morality of the Gospel. This highly interesting feature of his morals I have pointed out in many instances, by references to particular passages of Scripture.

Although the first part of the work is designated Moral Philosophy, the reader must not infer from thence that there are no morals in the other Sections: the truth is, morals pervade the whole work, but many of them are so interwoven with the Characters, Nature and the Passions, &c., as not to admit of being separated.

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