3-052-350 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Mr. Henry Irving as Shylock, in "The Merchant of Venice" at the Lyceum Theatre, 1880. London stage production. 'Gradually improving in the practice of his art, and at the same time enlightening his patrons, Mr. Irving has now obtained a positive position. His well-prepared appearance in the character of Shylock has quickened thoughtful attention to the meaning of the poet in its delineation. The lesson that it reads is that of toleration, not rudely blurted out, so as to be offensive to the prejudices of the age, but artfully commended by the adroit treatment in which Shakspeare excelled...Our portrait shows the Israelite in one of his most dignified attitudes. He regards Antonio as he would have been regarded by one of the Hebrew patriarchs. There is a pharisaic contempt for the needy Christian, in the light of which the last appears to him no better than "a fawning publican." The expression of the mouth and face is full of this self-complacent sentiment, mixed with hatred of the most malignant type. Throughout the part, Mr. Irving well depicts the various moods of Shylock's disturbed mind; and in all has redeemed it from all the vulgar elements which once entered so largely into the popular idea. That mistake is now annihilated for ever'. From "Illustrated London News", 1880.