SHAKESPEARE AND PSYCHOGNOSIS 73 



says " Let's all sink wi' the King," Sebastian replies, " Let's take leave of him." 

 There seems to be a certain dignity in these two speeches, both men desiring to 

 die in a manner becoming to their rank. 



In the first half of the third scene Sebastian regularly takes the lead in banter- 

 ing Gonzalo and Adrian. He addresses his wit chiefly to Antonio, who rather 

 indifferently echoes him. Concerning the marriage of his niece Claribel, he is 

 grossly sarcastic. " ' Twas a sweet marriage, and we propser well in our return." 

 But when Antonio takes a somewhat analogous interest in the historic sacrifice 

 of the affections of Dido, Sebastian replies, " Good Lord, how you take it!" 



To his royal brother he is equally harsh. He reproaches him bitterly for be- 

 stowing Claribel upon a barbarian. Reproached by Gonzalo, he merely growls 

 " very well." He is quick in debate, and exposes the inconsistency of Gonzalo's 

 ideal commonwealth. Yet in spite of his roughness and bluntness he is not alto- 

 gether bad and cold-blooded. His words to the drowsy King sound fraternal and 

 sincere: 



" Please you, sir, 

 Do not omit the heavy offer of it: 

 It seldom visits sorrow, when it doth 

 It is a comforter." 

 It is a bold, impartial stroke of characterization to ascribe this speech to Sebastian, 

 for it is a matter of observation that excessive aggressiveness is occasionally touched 

 by womanly tenderness, in a moment of weakness. 



After Sebastian has come to understand the evil suggestions of Antonio he says: 

 " Well; I am standing water." 

 He accuses himself of hereditary sloth; meaning evidently intellectual sloth. He 

 shows no initiative in intrigue. He is neither good nor bad. In practical affairs 

 he is energetic, and in banter or debate very wide-awake. 



When Antonio asks him how his slothful content paints his good fortune, he 

 awakes to the sense of his subordinate position, and the ambitious spirit of Antonio 

 lays hold upon him. He has some conscience still, but he is quickly satisfied by 

 the sneer of Antonio, " I feel not this deity in my bosom." When they are surprised 

 in their murderous attempt, Sebastian shows more boldness and self-possession. 



Once entered upon a certain course, this standing water flows steadily enough. 



In the seventh scene Sebastian still follows Antonio's lead. Instead of taking 

 the lead in the dialogue, he is now the able henchman of the wily conspirator. The 

 magic banquet and the shapes do not seem to move him very deeply. Lacking 

 the power of original judgment, he accepts all his senses present with equal hearti- 

 ness. After the vanishing of the shapes he exclaims bluntly : 



" No matter, since 

 They have left their viands behind; for we have stomachs." 



