4
THE BATTALION.
they are just the opposite in regard to central thought.
In regard to poetical conception there is a striking
likeness between this play and the trilogy on Henry IV
and Henry V. In that trilogy we see a generous nature
tempted through that same quick spirit that is in Antony;
but its final downfall is not brought about as is the case
with Antony.
Shakespeare takes great pains to represent Antony as
possessing a noble and generous nature. He courageous
and liberal, a ripe soldier, and a man capable of generous
thought and high achievement. Shakespeare’s purpose
is here obvious, for in representing the temptation and
downfall of such a noble character it is plain that he de
sires to show us that it is the fattest soils in which weeds
are most apt to appear. Prof. Morby says it was the es
sence of Shakespeare’s art to paint Falstaff as one who
could surround with pleasant humors the plain fact that
he was a thief, a coward and a liar, “to make himself so
kindly and amusing that we are all of one mind with the
prince in finding him good company. In like matter, no
Acrasia less enchanting than a Cleopatra could have
dragged down an Antony.”
But I am inclined to disagree with the author in repre
senting a man said to possess such a noble and generous
nature being tempted at the age of fifty-six. The course
of a noble and generous man’s life should show him the
evil of lust before he reaches that ripe age; while, if we
discount the nobility of his mind and just say he was gen
erous, I am inclined to believe that he would suffer him
self to be tempted by the most desirable person available.