luence which passed away before the period of his life presented in the play. Here we see him as a soldier and a man of action, who wooed his wife with his sword, and `won her love doing her injuries, and who in times of peace loved to hear the music of his hounds. His career has been one of conquest (Act V, Sc. 1, 51, 93-100), his triumphs have been celebrated in set orations prepared by great scholars who have `shivered and looked pale in the presence of so famous of a soldier. But he, being a man of action rather than of words, who could appreciate any service done him `when simpleness and duty tender it, has a preference for `the modesty of fearful duty rather than for the rattling tongue of saucy and audacious eloquence (Act V, Sc. 1, 102). His love for Hippolyta is no romantic passion like the loves of his young Athenian friends. Indeed, although he makes love at the beginning of the play in a dignified and stately fashion, we find him later comparing together `the lunatic, the lover and the poet, apparently without any idea of including himself in his description (Act V, Sc. 1, 7-20). He is certainly not unimaginative, but he keeps his imagination well under control and therein differs from those who `are of imagination all compact. He cannot believe in the visions and dreams of the lovers in the forest, in `these antique fables, nor these fairy toys. His life has been too full of action and hard work to allow him to let his imagination run riot, but he has very true idea of `the pleasures of the imagination. Unlike Hippolyta, to whom the Interlude is simply `the silliest stuff that ever I heard, he can find enjoyment in the honest attempts of him `the best in this kind are but shadows and the worst are no worse if imagination amend them. Theseus is a kind and generous and shows a strong inclination to make everyone happy in his kingdom. He proclaims a fortnights holiday on the occasion of his marriage. He endeavors t...
