"
Now Falcone is still resolute for the match; but this new generous
"humour" of Tortesa induces him (Tortesa) to decline it. Falcone's
tenure is then intact; he retains the deed, the usurer is giving
away property not his own.
As a drama of character, "Tortesa" is by no means open to so many
objections as when we view it in the light of its plot; but it is
still faulty. The merits are so exceedingly negative, that it is
difficult to say anything about them. The Duke is nobody, Falcone,
nothing; Zippa, less than nothing. Angelo may be regarded simply as
the medium through which Mr. Willis conveys to the reader his own
glowing feelings- his own refined and delicate fancy- (delicate, yet
bold)- his own rich voluptuousness of sentiment- a voluptuousness
which would offend in almost any other language than that in which
it is so skilfully apparelled. Isabella is- the heroine of the
Hunchback. The revolution in the character of Tortesa- or rather the
final triumph of his innate virtue- is a dramatic point far older than
the hills. It may be observed, too, that although the representation
of no human character should be quarrelled with for its inconsistency,
we yet require that the inconsistencies be not absolute antagonisms to
the extent of neutralization: they may be permitted to be oils and
waters, but they must not be alkalis and acids.
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