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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1879)
iUImmi NO. 10. PAllOMiKS AND JIOHAUU,. 51 nature considers it worth her while to ask his advice, and yet when about parting cannot refrain from the opinion, that "Parolles was horn under Mara wlien retrograding," and to his eager question lor her reason, says, "It must he so he. cause you go so much backwards when you light." The completeness of Parol le's character is more fully brought out by ills constant and close proximity to the noble old lord Lafeii, who also gives his teBtiinony in tlin testy exclamation, "By mine honor, if I were but two hours younger I'd beat tlico; methinks thou art a general oil'unce, and every man should boat tliec. I think thou wast created for men to breathe thcmsolvcs upon." The most cutting criticism is when the French Envoy says, after overhearing Parolles lamenting his folly for promising to bring oil' his drum. "Is't possible lie should know what lie is, and he that he isV" And, then, sec how easily and patiently such souls as Parol I us and Iiohadil can boar disgrace. After his cowardice and treachery to the Count have been exposed, in the laughable sceuo of the "drum," hear Parolles once more, "Who cannot be crushed with a plot? Yet I am thankful: If my heart wore great 'twould hurst at this. Captain I'll be no more; but I will eat and drink, and sleep as soft as Cap tain shall; simply the thing I am shall make mo live. Who knows himself a braggart, let him fear this: for it will will surely come to pass, that every brag gart shall he found an ass. Rust, sword ; Cool blushes; and ParollcB live safest in shame. Being fooled, by foolery thrive. There's phco and means forevery man alive. I'll after them." lust such characters as these are the ones concerning which we have nothing to say, we all sec them, wo all recognize them when we do see them ; but seen and recognized they aro avoided, and from them we will not learn the lesson wo might. This type is one, which furnishes us instruction as well as the highest and noblest conception of Sliakspcro's. Boha. dil and Parolles, both were in placesi which would have given them the prlvi. leges and honors of distinction. The one prefers to waste hia time in idle declama lion, the other veers around as the wind, changes as the time and occasion demand ready to betray the Count, when he thinks his safety depends upon it A character upon which no dependence can bo placed, yet one which by cozening art gains the confidence, and complete trust of his master. Iago betrays and ruins Othello from motiveless malignity ;lreach. ory is a part of his nature. He does not sonsider whether ho will do himself any goo. I. Parolles we must give higher credit, his conduct is I he natural result of such a, nature as his. With no principles of manhood, but making great pretensions to soldierly honor, lie betrays the cause of his country without a thought of patriot, ism or valor. As ready to give evidence before the King against the Count, as he was to aid the Count in n is vile designs, feels no shame when his treachery is laid bare before him, but comforts himself with the thought, that lie might have ex peeled that a braggart, sueh as he, would bo found out. Bolmdil, too, after relating his skill as a swordsman, and bravery as a soldier, shows no shame when soundly drubbed by a common citizen, nay dares not so much as lift his sword in his own defence. Both tame, cowardly natures content to live by flattery, or boasting as best suits their convenience. Asa comparison of the grotesqo and the sublime only heightens our porcop. tionoftho latter, so the weak and con temptible character of Parolles only sorvos as an adornment to the firm and noble nature of Helena. Even the Count him self, in the mind of the reader, does not altogether escape censure, but appears too much, to partake of the nature of bis servant. Sliakcspere, by introducing the character of Parolles in bis play, has only given room to draw a higher compari. lift! kmtSIPct