est old Gonzalo. Only a great writer
could accomplish this, and none but a genius could make of his work a
piece so fine that we delight in every line of it. It would be unfair
too not to mention the beautiful expressions that abound in it, the high
sentiments that prevail, and the great renunciation that Prospero makes
when he has in his hands every means for swift and terrible revenge.

CHARACTERS. In reading the drama we become acquainted with the
characters, and begin to be indifferent toward some, to have admiration
for others and contempt for others. In real life we must not be governed
by our first impressions of people. We must study their appearance,
their speech, their actions, and make up our minds as to their
characters before we decide to make them our friends. It is very unwise
to trust every agreeable person we meet, and especially unwise to be
suspicious of every person who at first impresses us unfavorably. The
older we grow, the keener becomes our power to read character, and the
less liable we are to be deceived if we try always to use our best
judgment. One of the great benefits literature can offer us is the
opportunity to study character, and Shakespeare had such a remarkable
insight into human nature, and so great a power of drawing character
that in his plays we can see before us almost every type of human being,
and from a study of them we can gain a knowledge of humanity that will
help us every day of our lives.

Accordingly, let us take up, one after another, the principal characters
in _The Tempest_ and study them in such a way that we shall be able to
read other plays with greater ease and quickened intelligence.

1. _Prospero._ The hero of the drama is a man well advanced in years,
grave, dignified and serene. As Duke of Milan he was a prince of power,
"without a parallel in dignity and knowledge." He was popular with his
subjects, for so dear was the love his people bore him, that the
conspirators did not dare to destroy him. Yet he was not inclined to
rule his dukedom, for he grew a stranger to his estate, so transported
and wrapt was he in secret studies. He confesses that his library was
dukedom enough for him, and that he had volumes that he prized above his
dukedom. This was his weakness, and upon this his false brother preyed,
until one night in the dead of darkness the Duke and the crying Miranda
were set adrift in the rotten carcass of a boat, which the very rats
instinctively