Social success; contemporaries Enters politics and Parliament. Sent to India; secretary board of education Limitations as a statesman Devotion to literature Return to London and public office Still writing essays; "Warren Hastings," "Clive" Drops out of Parliament; begins "History of England" Some inconsistencies Remarkable successes; re-enters Parliament Illness and growing weakness Conclusion of the History; foreign and domestic honors The debt of genius to its age and preceding time The era of Shakspeare favorable to dramatic entertain- PAGE 287 The stage a substitute for the newspaper of his era The poet draws upon extant materials-the lime and In drawing upon tradition and upon earlier plays the poet's memory is taxed equally with his invention All originality is relative; every thinker is retrospective. The world's literary treasure the result of many a one's Shakspeare's contemporaries, correspondents, and ac- Work of the Shakspeare Society in gathering material to Notable traits in the poet's character and disposition; his tone pure, sovereign, and cheerful 310-311 A rude era more favorable to poetry. The poetical temperament highest in a rude state of Milton distinguished by the excellence of his Latin verse. His genius gives to it an air of nobleness and freedom Characteristics and magical influence of Milton's poetry. Mechanism of his language attains exquisite perfection. "L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso," "Comus" and "Sam- "Comus" properly more lyrical than dramatic The Sonnets simple but majestic records of the poet's Milton's public conduct that of a man of high spirit and powerful intellect Eloquent champion of the principles of freedom His public conduct to be esteemed in the light of the Eulogium on Cromwell and approval of Milton's taking 368-370 373-383 387 Influences that made the man Self-discipline and educational training Counsellor to Duke Karl August at Weimar, where he Visits Italy; makes Schiller's acquaintance; Goethe's personal appearance 408-410 |