problem of the place of congenital endowment, or 'nature,' in its relation to 'nurture' is completely ignored, although Shakespeare supplies interesting material for its study; and the only thorough inquiry into the power of circumstances to mould character is confined to the special question of the influence upon personality of the supernatural beings in the dramas.
The study of the relation between character and destiny is conducted by means of an interesting and valuable analysis of plot. Professor Moulton exhibits the workings of retributive justice as they appear in Henry VI. and Richard III.; he retells and interprets the story of wrong and suffering followed by restoration that forms the theme of Cymbeline and The Winter's Tale; he shows how in Henry VIII. "outward " failure is compensated for by a gain in nobility of soul; finally, in a careful analysis of Romeo and Juliet and of certain portions of King Lear, he answers the question of Eliphaz the Temanite: "Whoever perished being innocent? Or where were the upright cut off?"
Besides the discussion of the above-named topics, the book contains many matters of less strictly philosophical interest upon which it would be a pleasure to dwell. In the controversial field of Shakespearian criticism no two students will agree at every point in their interpretation of a long series of characters. But Professor Moulton possesses so happy a combination of originality and freedom from the trammels of convention, keenness of vision and sanity of judgment, that the majority of his analyses seem destined to prove permanently valuable contributions to our knowledge of Shakespeare's world.
University of Wisconsin.
In spite of the number of monographs concerning Nietzsche, none of those heretofore published is devoted particularly to his epistemology and metaphysics. Dr. Eisler's pamphlet, therefore, fills a place unoccupied by any of its predecessors, and is additional evidence of the increasing attention that is being paid to Nietzsche by serious students of philosophy. Dr. Eisler finds much in Nietzsche's views that is akin to certain contemporary writers, especially E. Mach and Wundt. The plan of his book embraces both exposition and criticism, the latter of which often takes the form of a comparison with Dr. Eisler's own views. The entire discussion is written with clearness and impartiality, and, while there is little or nothing absolutely new in the interpretation of Nietzsche, the abundance of the details and the care with which they are set forth in systematic form render the monograph one of the best that has yet appeared concerning this much praised and much maligned writer.
| Grace Neil Dolson |
| Wells College.. |
