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