The Essential Goethe by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Author:Johann Wolfgang von Goethe [von Goethe, Johann Wolfgang]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Published: 2016-01-12T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Although several parts had been left out in this new version of Hamlet, there were still enough for the troupe to have difficulty in assigning them all.

“If things go on like this,” said Serlo, “our prompter will have to leave his box, become one of us, and take over a part.”

“I’ve often admired the work he does,” said Wilhelm.

“Yes, I don’t believe we could have a better person to prod our memory. None of the spectators will ever hear him, but on the stage we hear every word he says. He has developed a special kind of voice, and as a sort of guiding spirit whispers in our ears when we’re in trouble. He knows instinctively which part of his role an actor will remember correctly, and he senses well in advance when memory will let him down. In some cases when I hardly had the time to read through the part, he spoke each word ahead for me, and I was able to get through it without mishap; but he does have certain peculiarities, which makes him of little use to others. For example, he becomes so passionately involved in the plays that he will give highly personal, emotional renderings of moving passages that should just be declaimed. This unfortunate habit has more than once put me off course.”

“He has another odd habit which once let me down in a particularly tricky passage,” said Aurelie.

“But how is that possible when he is so attentive?” Wilhelm asked.

“He is so moved by some passages,” said Aurelie, “that he weeps bitter tears and for a time completely loses control of himself. And these are not what are normally considered moving passages, but rather, if I may say so, those beautiful passages in which an author’s power of feeling becomes evident, which give most of us intense pleasure but cause others to look away.”

“But if he has such a tender heart, why doesn’t he become an actor?”

“Because his hoarse voice and stiff movements would not do well on the stage, and his melancholy manners make him unsociable,” Serlo replied. “What trouble I have had trying to make him get along with me! But without success. He reads excellently. I have never heard anyone read better. And he really can respect the thin dividing line between declamation and emotionally charged recitation.”

“That’s it,” said Wilhelm. “That’s what we need. What a stroke of luck! We now have the actor who can recite the passage about the rugged Pyrrhus.”

“Only someone as enthusiastic as you can bend everything to his ends,” said Serlo.

“I would certainly have been very unhappy if that particular passage had been omitted; it would have crippled the play.”

“I can’t see why,” said Aurelie.

“I hope you will agree with me when you have heard what I have to say,” Wilhelm replied. “Shakespeare introduces this group of actors with a double purpose. First: The man who declaims the speech about the death of Priam with so much emotion, deeply moves Prince Hamlet. He pricks

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