Welcome to PhiloLogic  
   home |  the ARTFL project |  download |  documentation |  sample databases |   
John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
To look up a word in a dictionary, select the word with your mouse and press 'd' on your keyboard.

Next section

Introductory matter

Title page JULIUS Cæsar, A TRAGEDY, by SHAKESPEARE, AS PERFORMED AT THE THEATRE-ROYAL, COVENT-GARDEN. Regulated from the PROMPT-BOOK, With PERMISSION of the MANAGERS, By Mr. YOUNGER, Prompter. An INTRODUCTION, and NOTES Critical and Illustrative, ARE ADDED, BY THE AUTHORS of the DRAMATIC CENSOR. LONDON: Printed for JOHN BELL, near Exeter-Exchange, in the Strand; and C. ETHERINGTON, at York. MDCCLXXIII.

-- 3 --

INTRODUCTION.

JULIUS Cæsar.

When Shakespeare made choice of this subject, he no doubt commendably consulted the genius of his native land, where the spirit of liberty, however impaired, still remains a check upon power; and where could he search for more noble examples, more striking assertors of freedom, than among the last Romans who bravely contended for that choicest principle of political life; sensible of his bold and important design, he seems to have collected the utmost force of his powers, whereby he has maintained more strength, more dignity, and uniformity, than in any other piece of his; but as there are none of the tender or more common passions introduced; as it rests upon one great, independant idea, the love of our country, it can never be very popular; there must be good sense and very generous feelings, to relish it thoroughly; besides it requires a greater number of good speakers, than generally meet in one or both of the theatres.

We wish, however, our senators, as a body, were to bespeak it annually; that each would get most of it by heart; that it should be occasionally performed at both universities, and at every public seminary, of any consequence; so would the author receive distinguished, well-earned honour; and the public reap, we doubt not, essential service.

-- 4 --

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

[Carpenter], [Cobler], [Lucius], [Soothsayer], [Servant], [Plebians], [Plebian 4], [Artemidorus], [Ghost], [Varro], [Claudius], [Messenger], [Soldier 1], [Lepidus]

Julius Cæsar, Mr. Clarke.
Octavius Cæsar, Mr. Wroughton.
Antony [Marcus Antonius], Mr. Smith.
Brutus [Marcus Brutus], Mr. Bensley.
Cassius, Mr. Hull.
Casca, Mr. Gardner.
Trebonius, Mr. Perry.
Ligarius, Mr. Holtom.
Decius Brutus, Mr. Davis.
Metellus [Metellus Cimber], Mr. Cushing.
Cinna, Mr. Bates.
1st Plebeian [Citizen 1], Mr. Hamilton,
2d Plebeian [Citizen 2], Mr. Quick.
3d Plebeian [Citizen 3], Mr. Dunstall.
Pindarus, Mr. R. Smith.
Portia, Mrs. Hartley.
Calphurnia, Mrs. Vincent.
Guards and Attendants.
SCENE, for the three first Acts, at Rome; afterwards at an Isle near Mutina; at Sardis; and Philippi.

-- 5 --

Main text

Next section


John Bell [1774], Bell's Edition of Shakespeare's Plays, As they are now performed at the Theatres Royal in London; Regulated from the Prompt Books of each House By Permission; with Notes Critical and Illustrative; By the Authors of the Dramatic Censor (Printed for John Bell... and C. Etherington [etc.], York) [word count] [S10401].
Powered by PhiloLogic