parallels.

Polynices, in the Phoenissae of Euripides (504-506), exclaims:


"To the stars' risings, and the sun's I'd go,
And dive 'neath earth,--if I could do this thing, -
Possess Heaven's highest boon of sovereignty."


Then compare Hotspur:


"By Heaven, methinks it were an easy leap
To pluck bright honour from the pale faced moon,
Or dive into the bottom of the deep,
Where fathom-line could never touch the ground,
And pluck up drowned honour by the locks,
So he that doth redeem her thence, might wear
Without corrival all her dignities."


What a hurrying crowd of pictures rush through Hotspur's mind! Is
Shakespeare thinking of the Phoenissae, or is he speaking only on the
promptings of his genius?



CHAPTER V: SHAKESPEARE, GENIUS, AND SOCIETY