'
Dr. Johnson observes of this play, that 'the meek sorrows and
virtuous distress of Katherine have furnished some scenes, which may
be justly numbered among the greatest efforts of tragedy. But the
genius of Shakespeare comes in and goes out with Katherine. Every
other part may be easily conceived and easily written.' This is
easily said; but with all due deference to so great a reputed
authority as that of Johnson, it is not true. For instance, the
scene of Buckingham led to execution is one of the most affecting
and natural in Shakespeare, and one to which there is hardly an
approach in any other author. Again, the character of Wolsey, the
description of his pride and of his fall, are inimitable, and have,
besides their gorgeousness of effect, a pathos, which only the
genius of Shakespeare could lend to the distresses of a proud, bad
man, like Wolsey. There is a sort of child-like simplicity in the
very helplessness of his situation, arising from the recollection of
his past overbearing ambition. After the cutting sarcasms of his
enemies on his disgrace, against which he bears up with a spirit
conscious of his own superiority, he breaks out into that fine
apostrophe:
Farewell, a long farewell, to all my greatness!
This is the state of man; to-day he puts forth
The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow blossoms,
And bears his blushing honours thick upon him;
The third day, comes a frost, a killing frost;
And--when he thinks, good easy man, full surely
His greatness is a ripening--nips his root,
And then he falls, as I do.
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