Page:Poet Lore, volume 4, 1892.djvu/247

 eight cents, and the prices of other plays vary from eight to twenty cents. The translations of Shakespeare have been given the same rights in the libraries and the schools as the products of native classics; and ‘Coriolanus,’ ‘Julius Cæsar,’ or ‘Macbeth’ are read in the “gymnasiums” as models of dramatic poetry. The general knowledge of Shakespeare’s works has made many of the witty sayings of Hamlet and other heroes of the British poet proverbial. Shakespeare is recognized as the greatest of modern poets, as Homer was of the ancient singers, and some of his works may always be found in the repertoires of theatrical companies. Even the National Theatre of Prague, which is expected to foster the interests of domestic art almost exclusively, devotes on an average four evenings in a year to Shakespeare. The favorite plays are ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ ‘Hamlet,’ ‘Othello,’ and ‘Coriolanus,’ and it may be said that theatrical enthusiasts treat the “Shakespearian days” as holidays. The best interpreters of Shakespeare on the Bohemian stage have been thus far Messrs. Kolar and Slukov. And even on the stage of Bohemian amateurs in this country, a person may occasionally see ‘Hamlet;’ and a few months ago, one of the Bohemian clubs of Chicago came out with a spirited representation of ‘The Merchant of Venice,’ Dr. Jan Habenicht playing an excellent Shylock. The same club announces ‘King Lear’ for this season.

It is but natural, then, that the influence of Shakespeare should be felt in Bohemian dramatic literature. Of the authors who have imitated Shakespeare, V. Halek and J. J. Kolar are the most conspicuous examples. We do not think it a disgrace for an author if it be said of him that he imitates Shakespeare, for such a master is a good model; but the two authors mentioned seem to have gone a little too far,—one endeavoring even to imitate Shakespeare’s puns, and the other undoubtedly following in this the custom of his master himself, borrowing, sometimes, whole sentences from him. But these are the extreme cases; on the whole, it may be said that the influence of Shakespeare has been a beneficial one, raising the standard of dramatic productions without destroying the individuality of the authors.