ays.

2. _As You Like It_--Source: Lodge's Rosalynde. Synopsis of the plot and
analysis of the chief characters. Note the part of Adam, which
Shakespeare played himself. Compare Juliet and Rosalind. Read Act ii.,
Scene 4, and Act iii., Scene 2. Readings from Hamilton Mabie's In the
Forest of Arden and William Winter's Old Shrines and Ivy.

3. _The Merchant of Venice_--Source: the Italian Tale, Il Pecorone.
Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Discuss the
question, Who is the hero of the drama? Read from Act iii., Scene 2, and
Act iv., Scene 1 (Portia's plea). Reading from Philipson's The Jew in
English Fiction.

BOOKS TO CONSULT--Hiram Corson: Introduction to Shakespeare. Fleming:
How to Study Shakespeare. Dowden: Transcripts and Studies (for Romeo and
Juliet). Stopford Brooke: On Ten Plays of Shakespeare (for As You Like
It). Introductions to the several plays by Brandes, R. G. White and
Rolfe (popular).

The heroines of these plays are among the loveliest in Shakespeare. A
special paper might be prepared on them, illustrating it with their
famous speeches.

VI--PLAYS OF FANCY

1. _Midsummer Night's Dream_--Source: old tales (Petrarch, Ovid,
Chaucer, etc.). Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief
characters. An early play, full of sprightly gaiety. Splendid metrical
command. Influence on later literature and music (Faust, Oberon). Read
Act iii., Scene 1. Also the Pyramus and Thisbe part.

2. _Cymbeline_--Source: Boccaccio and Holinshed. Synopsis of the plot
and analysis of the chief characters. Serene temper with tragic element.
Fanciful geography. Read Act iv., Scene 2, through the song Fear No
More.

3. _Winter's Tale_--Source: Greene's Pandosto and the Decameron of
Boccaccio. Analysis of the plot and description of the chief characters.
List of Warwickshire flowers mentioned (Act iv., Scene 3). Discuss the
reason for the popularity of this play in Shakespeare's time and its
neglect now. Read Act iv., Scene 3, in part.

4. _The Tempest_--Source: almost entirely Shakespeare's own; very slight
dependence on materials. Analysis of the plot and description of the
chief characters. Probably Shakespeare's last play. Wreck of the
_Sea-Venture_ and description of Bermuda (see Mabie's Shakespeare). Note
Shakespeare's desertion of reality for fancy at the close of his career.
Read Act v., Scene 1.

BOOKS TO CONSULT--Hudson: The Life, Art, and Character of Shakespeare.
Dowden: Shakes