Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Written by Mr. William Shakespeare (1736)

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Some Remarks on the Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, Written by Mr. William Shakespeare (1736) by Anonymous, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Anonymous ISBN: 9781465587664
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Anonymous
ISBN: 9781465587664
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
The identity of the "Anonymous" of Some Remarks on Hamlet Prince of Denmark has never been established. The tradition that Hanmer wrote the essay had its highly dubious origin in a single unsupported statement by Sir Henry Bunbury, made over one hundred years after the work was written, in his Correspondence of Sir Thomas Hanmer, with a Memoir of His Life (London, 1838), to the effect that he had reason to believe that Hanmer was the author. The evidence against this bare surmise is such, however, as to compel assent to Professor Lounsbury's judgment that Hanmer's authorship "is so improbable that it may be called impossible" (Shakespeare as a Dramatic Artist, 60). I have elsewhere set down reasons for my own belief that Hanmer could have had nothing to do with the composition of the essay, arguing on grounds of ideas, attitudes, style, and other internal evidence ("Thomas Hanmer and the Anonymous Essay on Hamlet," [1934], 493-498). Without going over the case again, I wish here merely to reaffirm my conviction that Hanmer was not the author, and to say that it would seem that the difference in styles and the attitude of Anonymous toward Pope and Theobald are alone convincing proof that Hanmer had no part in the Remarks. Hanmer's style is stiff, formal, pedantic; the style of the essay is free, easy, direct, more in the Addison manner. Hanmer was a disciple of Pope's, and in his Preface to his Shakespeare and in his edition as a whole shows allegiance to Pope. Anonymous, on the contrary, decisively, though urbanely, rejects Pope's edition in favor of Theobald's text and notes. The fact that Theobald was at that time still the king of dunces in the Dunciad, adds to the improbability that an admirer of Pope's, as Hanmer certainly was, would pay Theobald such honor.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
The identity of the "Anonymous" of Some Remarks on Hamlet Prince of Denmark has never been established. The tradition that Hanmer wrote the essay had its highly dubious origin in a single unsupported statement by Sir Henry Bunbury, made over one hundred years after the work was written, in his Correspondence of Sir Thomas Hanmer, with a Memoir of His Life (London, 1838), to the effect that he had reason to believe that Hanmer was the author. The evidence against this bare surmise is such, however, as to compel assent to Professor Lounsbury's judgment that Hanmer's authorship "is so improbable that it may be called impossible" (Shakespeare as a Dramatic Artist, 60). I have elsewhere set down reasons for my own belief that Hanmer could have had nothing to do with the composition of the essay, arguing on grounds of ideas, attitudes, style, and other internal evidence ("Thomas Hanmer and the Anonymous Essay on Hamlet," [1934], 493-498). Without going over the case again, I wish here merely to reaffirm my conviction that Hanmer was not the author, and to say that it would seem that the difference in styles and the attitude of Anonymous toward Pope and Theobald are alone convincing proof that Hanmer had no part in the Remarks. Hanmer's style is stiff, formal, pedantic; the style of the essay is free, easy, direct, more in the Addison manner. Hanmer was a disciple of Pope's, and in his Preface to his Shakespeare and in his edition as a whole shows allegiance to Pope. Anonymous, on the contrary, decisively, though urbanely, rejects Pope's edition in favor of Theobald's text and notes. The fact that Theobald was at that time still the king of dunces in the Dunciad, adds to the improbability that an admirer of Pope's, as Hanmer certainly was, would pay Theobald such honor.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book The Book of the Lover and the Beloved by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Sex Life of the Gods by Anonymous
Cover of the book Mater dolorosa by Anonymous
Cover of the book Evolution, Old and New by Anonymous
Cover of the book Monday or Tuesday and Kew Gardens by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Military Invasion of America by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Buddha: A Drama in Five Acts and Four Interludes by Anonymous
Cover of the book Midnight Webs by Anonymous
Cover of the book A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels (Complete) Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of The Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery and Commerce by Sea and Land from The Earliest Ages to The Present Time by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Life Everlasting: A Reality of Romance by Anonymous
Cover of the book Cumner's Son and Other South Sea Folk (Complete) by Anonymous
Cover of the book Cassell's History of England: From the Roman Invasion to the Wars of the Roses (Volume I of 8) by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Younger Sister (Complete) by Anonymous
Cover of the book The Thing from the Lake by Anonymous
Cover of the book Women's Wild Oats: Essays on the Re-Fixing of Moral Standards by Anonymous
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy