THE SOLE VOICE: Character Portraits from Shakespeare

by Philip Burton ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 25, 1970

As head of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and foster father to the illustrious Richard, Philip Burton certainly qualifies for his task--an antivivisectionist effort to undo scholarly damage and restore Shakespeare's people to human wholeness. By presenting this as a service to actors (which it assuredly will be) the author dodges the academic criticism which some inconsistencies might otherwise attract. Where convenient he notes ""the essential dramatist. . . adapting his style to the necessities of character""; yet, to absolve Richard II of self-dramatization, he asserts that ""Shakespeare was the poet, not Richard."" Similarly, some characters are allowed a universal import and others not, on grounds that are not completely clear. Throughout he takes care to correct others' misinterpretations (Hazlitt's ""grossly impercipient"" judgment of Henry V, Olivier's delightful misrepresentation of Hotspur's speech), but his own readings are sometimes just as idiosyncratic and personal (regarding Richard II the textual evidence cited is ambiguous at best). The effect is an implicit self-portrait added to the collection. Twenty-one sketches, seven to a genre, with pleasantly instructive background essays.

Pub Date: Sept. 25, 1970

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1970

Categories: NONFICTION