File:Shakespeare on the stage (1911) (14784368182).jpg

Identifier: shakespeareonsta01wint (find matches)
Title: Shakespeare on the stage
Year: 1911 (1910s)
Authors: Winter, William, 1836-1917
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 Actors Actresses
Publisher: New York, Moffat, Yard and Company
Contributing Library: The Library of Congress
Digitizing Sponsor: Sloan Foundation

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given to the dressing of the play. Booths embodimentof Wolsey was interesting and impressive but thepart did not deeply stir his feelings and he did notgreatly care for it. He was essentially a tragedianand his genius required tragedy as a vehicle. Thepervasive quality of his performance was poetic con-dition. He presented a noble image of authoritytempered by exquisite grace, and he denoted austereintellect and the capability of subtle craft. No actorhas appeared in our time who could better present theaspect of ecclesiastical majesty. The points usuallymade by actors of this part,—in the soliloquy aboutAnne Bullen and King Henry, at How much,methinks, I might despise this man! and at Wolseysexit with Campeius,—were admirably made by him,and, as always, his elocution was superb,—especiallyin the parting scene with Cromwell and when he spokethose solemn words: Had I but seived my God with half the zealI servd my king, he would not, In mine age.Have left me naked to mine enemies.
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Courteaii of Erert J«ii\iii WeiuhU HENRY IRVING AS CARDINAL WOLSEY AFTER THE DRAWIXG BY J. BERNARD PARTRIDGE KING HENRY VIII. 545 HENRY IRVING. Henry Irvings Wolsey commingled in one sym-metrical identity the stately ecclesiastic, the suave diplo-matist, the commanding statesman, and the polished,elegant, highly intellectual man of the world. He worechimere, rochet, mantle, and red hat, and his tallfigure, ascetic face, piercing eyes, authoritative hear-ing, incisive speech and incessant earnestness of per-sonification combined to make the performanceimpressively life-like and deeply sympathetic. Heemployed, as Kean had done, the traditional businessrelative to Buckingham, in the opening scene,—ascene in which the Cardinal, sure of his ground, isperfectly composed. In the Trial Scene his mannertoward the King was profoundly respectful andtoward the Queen bland, almost humble, ingratiating,and speciously ingenuous. Wolsey, until the momentof the catastrophe, is continuously dissimul

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