Preface to the Works of Shakespeare (1734) by Lewis Theobald
page 55 of 70 (78%)
page 55 of 70 (78%)
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[Sidenote: Father _Brumoy_ mistaken.]
V. The Learned Father _Brumoy_ too, who has lately given us three Volumes upon the _Theatre_ of the _Greeks_, has slipt into an Error about _Sophocles_; for, speaking of his _Antigone_, he tells us, it was in such Request as to be performâd Two and Thirty times; _Elle fût representée trente deux fois._ The Account, on which This is grounded, we have from the Argument prefixâd to _Antigone_ by _Aristophanes_ the Grammarian: and the _Latin_ Translator of this Argument, probably, led Father _Brumoy_ into his Mistake, and he should have referrâd to the Original. The _Greek_ Words are; λέλεκÏαι δὲ Ïὸ δÏᾶμα ÏοῦÏο ÏÏιακοÏÏὸν δεύÏεÏον. i. e. â_This _Play_ is said to have been the _Thirty Second_, in Order of Time, produced by_ Sophocles.â The Mistakes, that I have mentioned, (thoâ they necessarily lead into Error, from the Authority with which they come into the World;) yet are such, âtis obvious, as have been the Effects of Inadvertence; and therefore I do not quote them to the Dishonour of their Learned Authors. I shall point out Two or Three, which seem to have sprung from another Source: either a due Want of Sagacity, or an absolute Neglect of _literal Criticism_. [Sidenote: Sir _George Wheler_ corrected.] VI. Sir _George Wheler_, who, in his JOURNEY into GREECE, has traded much with _Greek_ Antiquities and Inscriptions, and who certainly was no mean Scholar, has shewn himself very careless in this Respect. When he was at _Sardis_, he met with a Medal of the Emperor _Commodus_ seated in the Midst of the Zodiack with Celestial Signs |
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