dispatch;
Which shall to all our nights and days to come
Give solely sovereign sway and masterdom.

Modern dramatists are likely to be much more careful in giving advice
about characterization. They insert a large number of stage directions
covering this matter. Speed of delivery, tone and inflection, as well
as underlying feeling and emotion are minutely indicated.

DUCHESS OF BERWICK

Mr. Hopper, I am very angry with you. You have taken Agatha
out on the terrace, and she is so delicate.

HOPPER

[_At left of center_] Awfully sorry, Duchess. We went out
for a moment and then got chatting together.

DUCHESS

[_At center_] Ah, about dear Australia, I suppose?

HOPPER

Yes.

DUCHESS

Agatha, darling! [_Beckons her over._]

AGATHA

Yes, mamma!

DUCHESS

[_Aside_] _Did Mr. Hopper definitely--_

AGATHA

Yes, mamma.

DUCHESS

And what answer did you give him, dear child?

AGATHA

Yes, mamma.

DUCHESS

[_Affectionately_] My dear one! You always say the right
thing. Mr. Hopper! James! Agatha has told me everything. How
cleverly you have both kept your secret.

HOPPER

You don't mind my taking Agatha off to Australia, then,
Duchess?

DUCHESS

[_Indignantly_] To Australia? Oh, don't mention that
dreadful vulgar place.

HOPPER

But she said she'd like to come with me.

DUCHESS

[_Severely_] Did you say that, Agatha?

AGATHA

Yes, mamma.

DUCHESS

Agatha, you say the most silly things possible.

Descriptions of Characters. In addition to definite directions at
special times during the course of the dialogue, modern writers of
plays describe each character quite fully at his first entrance into
the action. This gives the delineator of each role a working basis for
his guidance. Such directions carefully followed out assure the tone
for the whole cast. They keep a subordinate part always in the proper
relation to all others. They make certain the impression of the whole
story as a consistent artistic development. They prevent
misunderstandings about the author's aim. They provide that every
character shall appear to be swayed by natural motives. They remove
from the performance all suggestions of unregulated caprice.

Dramatists vary in the exactness and minuteness of suc