- Metrical Romances, origin of, i. 522, 523.
- Michael (St.) and All Angels, festival of, i. 334.
- Superstitious doctrine of the ministry of angels, 334-340.
- Michaelmas-geese, 340, 341.
- Middleton (Christopher), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 693.
- Middleton (Thomas), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 693.
- Wrote several pieces for the stage, in conjunction with other dramatic poets, ii. [565].
- Estimate of his merits as a dramatist, [565], [566].
- Illustrations of his "Fair Quarrel," i. 224.
- And "No Wit, No Help like a Woman's," i. 226.
- Midsummer-Eve, superstitious observances on, i. 328.
- Midsummer-Eve fire, of Pagan origin, ibid. 329.
- Fern-seed only visible on that eve, 329.
- Spirits visible of persons, who are to die in the following year, 330, 331.
- Recent observance of Midsummer-Eve in Cornwall, 331.
- Visionary appearance of future husbands and wives supposed to take place on this Eve, 332, 333.
- Plays and masques performed then, 333, 334.
- Midsummer-Night's Dream, composed for Midsummer-Eve, i. 333, 334.
- Its probable date, ii. [298], [299].
- One of Shakspeare's earlier pieces, [299].
- Critical remarks on some of its characters, [300-302].
- And on the fairy mythology of this play, [302]. [337-355].
- (See also the article "[Fairies]," in this Index.)
Passages of this drama illustrated in this work.
| Act | i. | scene | 1., | i. | 155. |
| scene | 2., | ii. | [221]. | ||
| Act | ii. | scene | 1., | i. | 106. ii. [341]. [343], [344]. [349]. |
| scene | 2., | i. | 308. 384. ii. [337], [338]. [341], [342]. [344]. [354], [355]. | ||
| scene | 3., | ii. | [341]. [355]. | ||
| Act | iii. | scene | 1., | ii. | [170]. [341]. [346]. |
| scene | 2., | i. | 158. ii. [301]. [354]. | ||
| Act | iv. | scene | 1., | i. | 156. 284. 324. ii. [339]. [352]. |
| scene | 2., | ii. | [353]. | ||
| Act | v. | scene | 2., | i. | 226. ii. [329]. [346]. |
- Milan Bells for hawks, notice of, i. 268, 269.
- Milk Maids, procession of, on May-day, i. 155. note [155:A].
- Milton's "Comus," illustration of, i. 131.
- Illustrations of "Paradise Lost," i. 339, 381.
- Proof that he imitated Shakspeare's Pericles, ii. [279], [280]. note [279:C].
- Exquisite passage from his "Paradise Lost," on the ministry of angels, [401].
- Ben Jonson the favourite model studied by Milton, [578], [579].
- Whether he and Shakspeare were acquainted with each other, [672].
- Ministry of Angels, superstitious notions concerning, i. 334-339.
- Remarks of Bishop Horsley on, 339, 340.
- Minstrels better paid than clergymen, i. 93.
- Their condition in the age of Elizabeth, 557.
- Their costume described, 558, 559.
- Dissolute morals of, 559, 560.
- Allusions to them by Shakspeare, 560, 561.
- Their profession annihilated by act of parliament, 561.
- Allusions to their poetry by Shakspeare, 574-593.
- Miranda, remarks on the character of, ii. [506].
- "Mirrour for Magistrates," a collection of poetical legends, planned by Sackville, i. 708.
- Account of its various editions, 709, 710.
- Its character, 710.
- Influence on our national poetry, ibid.
- Monkies, kept as the companions of the domestic fool, ii. [145], [146].
- Monsters, supposed existence of, i. 384-389.
- Montgomery (Alexander), notice of the poems of, i. 693, and note.
- Monument of Shakspeare, in Stratford church, described, ii. [618].
- Remarks on the bust erected on it, [619-622].
- Moon, supposed influence of, i. 382-384.
- Exquisite picture of moonlight scenery, ii. [390].
- Morality of Shakspeare's dramas, ii. [552].
- Morgan (Mr.), vindicates Shakspeare from the calumnies of Voltaire, ii. [553], [554].
- Morley's (Thomas), Collection of Madrigals, quotations from, illustrative of May-games, i. 165, 166.
- Account of his "Collections," 731-733.
- Morris-dance, origin of, i. 157.
- Dress of the Morris-dancers, 158.
- Morris dances performed at Easter, i. 147. note.
- And especially at May-day, 158, 159.
- Music by which these dances were accompanied, 164, 165.
- Morris-dances introduced also at Whitsuntide, 175.
- "Morte D'Arthur," a celebrated romance, account of, i. 524.
- Its popularity censured by Ascham and Meres, 524, 525.
- Notice of its principal editions, 526, 527.
- Specimen of its style, 528.
- Furnished Spenser with many incidents, 528, 529.
- Allusions to it by Shakspeare, 562.
- Moseley (Mr.), discovers John Shakspeare's will, i. 9.
- Moryson (Fynes), critical notice of his "Itinerary," i. 479.
- His character of "Amadis of Gaul," 546.
- Much Ado about Nothing, date of, ii. [430].
- Strictures on its general character, and on the conduct of its fable, [ibid.] [431].
- Original of the character of Dogberry in this play, [589].
Passages of this drama illustrated in the present work.
| Act | i. | scene | 1., | i. | 308. |
| scene | 3., | ii. | [114]. | ||
| Act | ii. | scene | 1., | i. | 540. 564. ii. [175]. |
| scene | 3., | i. | 288. 472. ii. [92]. | ||
| Act | iii. | scene | 1., | i. | 296. |
| scene | 2., | i. | 573. | ||
| Act | v. | scene | 2., | i. | 580. |
- Mufflers, an article of female dress in the age of Shakspeare, ii. [95].
- Mulberry-tree, when planted by Shakspeare, ii. [599], [600].
- Cut down, ii. [584]. [note].
- Mulcaster (Richard), notice of the grammatical labours of, i. 455.
- Muncaster (Richard), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 693.
- Munday (Anthony), notice of his Versions of "Palmerin of England," i. 547.
- "Palmerin d'Oliva," and "Historie of Palmendo," 548.
- List of his poems, 693, 694.
- Murdered persons, blood of, supposed to flow on the touch or approach of the murderer, i. 372, 373.
- Murray (David), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 694, and note.
- Music of the Morris-dance and May-games, i. 164, 165.
- Description of the music of the fairies, ii. [342], and [note].
- Shakspeare passionately fond of music, [390].
- "Myrrour of Knighthood," a popular romance, alluded to by Shakspeare, i. 570.
- Mythology of the ancients, a favourite study in the time of Elizabeth and James I., i. 419.
- Critical account of the fairy mythology of Shakspeare, ii. [302-337].
- N
- Name of Shakspeare, orthography of, ascertained, i. 17-20.
- Nash (Thomas), "Quarternio" of, cited, i. 260-262.
- His quarrel with Harvey, 458.
- His books, why scarce, ibid.
- Character of him, 459. 486.
- Nashe's "Choosing of Valentines" cited, i. 251.
- Natural History, works on, translated in the time of Shakspeare, i. 485.
- Needlework, admirable, of the ladies, in the age of Shakspeare, ii. [146]. and [note], [153].
- Newcastle, Easter amusements at, i. 149.
- Newspapers, origin of, i. 506.
- Newton (Thomas), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 694.
- Newton's "History of the Saracens," notice of, i. 476.
- New-Year's Day, ceremonies observed on, i. 123.
- Presents usually made then, 124.
- Account of those made to Queen Elizabeth, 125, 126.
- Nicholson (Samuel), a minor poet in the time of Shakspeare, i. 694.
- Niccols (Richard), critical notice of the poetical works of, i. 637, 638.
- Additions to the "Mirrour for Magistrates," 709, 710.
- Nightmare, poetical description of, i. 348,
- note.
- Supposed influence of St. Withold, against it, 347-349.
- Nixon (Anthony), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 694.
- Noises, sudden and fearful, supposed to be forerunners of death, i. 361.
- Norden (John), notice of the topographical works of, i. 480, 481.
- And of his poetical productions, 694.
- Novels (Italian), account of, translated in Shakspeare's time, i. 538-544.
- List of those most esteemed in the 15th and 16th centuries, 544, note.
- Nutcrack Night, i. 341.
- O
- Oberon, the fairy king of Shakspeare, derivation of his name, ii. [337], [note].
- Analysis of his character, [337-340].
- Ockland's ΕΙΡΗΝΑΡΧΙΑ sive Elizabetha, a school-book in Shakspeare's time, account of, i. 26.
- Omens, prevalence of, in Shakspeare's time, i. 349-351.
- Warnings of danger or death, 349-354.
- Dreams, 354.
- Demoniacal voices, 355.
- Corpse-candles, and tomb-fires, 358.
- Fiery and meteorous exhalations, 360.
- Sudden noises, 361, 362.
- Ophelia, remarks on the affecting madness of, i. 589-591.
- And also on Hamlet's passion for her, ii. [394-396].
- Ordinaries, account of, in the age of Shakspeare, ii. [134], [135].
- Oriental romances, account of, i. 531-538.
- Allusions to them by Shakspeare, 568, 569.
- Orthography of Shakspeare's name, i. 17-20.
- Instances of want of uniformity in, 19. note.
- Othello, probable date of, ii. [527], [528].
- General remarks on this drama, [529].
- Vindication of it from the extraordinary criticism of Mr. Steevens, [529], [530].
- On the execution of the character of Othello, [530].
- Iago, [531].
- And Desdemona, [ibid.]
Passages of this tragedy illustrated in the present work.
| Act | i. | scene | 3., | i. | 385. ii. [155]. |
| Act | ii. | scene | 3., | i. | 583. ii. [128]. |
| Act | iii. | scene | 3., | i. | 270. |
| scene | 4., | ii. | [527]. | ||
| Act | iv. | scene | 1., | i. | 389. |
| Act | v. | scene | 2., | i. | 384. |
- Overbury (Sir Thomas), the first writer of "Characters," i. 509.
- Character of his productions, ibid.
- Especially his poem on the choice of a wife, 510.
- Imitation of it, ibid.
- Notice of editions of it, 694, and note [694:D].
- Mrs. Turner executed for his murder, ii. [96].
- Owls, superstitious notions concerning, i. 393, 394.
- P
- Pageants, splendid, in the age of Shakspeare, account of, ii. [187-190].
- Allusions to them by the poet, [191-193].
- Paint, used by the ladies in Shakspeare's time, ii. [95].
- Palaces of Queen Elizabeth, account of the furniture of, ii. [111], [112].
- "Palmerin d'Oliva," romance of, translated by Munday, i. 548.
- Alluded to by Shakspeare, 571.
- "Palmerin of England," a popular romance, critical notice of, i. 547.
- Palmistry, allusions to by Shakspeare, i. 363.
- Pancake Bell, account of, i. 143. note.
- Pancakes, the invariable accompaniment of Shrove-Tuesday, i. 141, 142.
- "Paradyse of Daynty Devises," account of the different editions of, i. 711, 712.
- And of the different contributors to this collection of poems, 713-715.
- Paris, fashions of, imported into England, in the age of Shakspeare, ii. [94].
- Park (Mr.), remarks of, on the style of our elder poetry, i. 719, 720.
- Parish Tops, notice of, i. 312.
- Parker (Archbishop), a collector of curious books, i. 433.
- Parkes (William), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 695.
- Parnassus—"The Great Assizes holden in Parnassus," &c. cited, i. 19. note.
- Parrot (Henry), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 695.
- Partridge (John), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 695.
- Pasche Eggs, given at Easter, i. 148.
- Pasquinade of Shakspeare, on Sir Thomas Lucy, i. 405, 406.
- Passing Bell, supposed benefit of tolling, i. 232, 233, 234.
- Passions, exquisite delineations of, in Shakspeare's dramas, ii. [546-549].
- "Passionate Pilgrim," a collection of Shakspeare's minor pieces, when first printed, ii. [41].
- Probable date of its composition, [42].
- An edition of this work published by Jaggard, without the poet's knowledge or consent, [43-45].
- Shakspeare vindicated from the charge of imposing on the public, in this edition, [45-48].
- Critical remarks on the Passionate Pilgrim, [49].
- Pastoral romances, account of, i. 548-552.
- Paul's (St.) Day, supposed influence of, on the weather, i. 323. and note.
- Paul's Walk, a fashionable lounge in St. Paul's Cathedral, during the age of Shakspeare, ii. [182-185].
- Pavin or Pavan, a fashionable dance in the time of Shakspeare, account of, ii. [173], [174].
- Payne (Christopher), "Christmas Carrolles" of, i. 695.
- Paynter's (William), "Pallace of Pleasure," a popular collection of romances, i. 541.
- Probable cause of its being discontinued, ibid. 542.
- Constantly referred to by Shakspeare, 542.
- Peacham (Henry), a minor poet in the time of Shakspeare, i. 695.
- Peacham's description of country-schoolmasters, i. 97, 98.
- Instruction on the best mode of keeping books, and on the best scite for a library, 436, 437.
- And on the choice of style, 447, 448.
- Peacock Pies, anciently eaten at Christmas, i. 200.
- Pearson (Alison), executed for supposed intercourse with fairies, ii. [318], [319].
- Peasantry, or Boors, character of, in the age of Elizabeth, i. 120-122.
- Peele (George), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 695, 696.
- Character of his dramatic productions, ii. [239], [240].
- Peend (Thomas de la), a minor poet in the age of Shakspeare, i. 696.
- Peg Tankard, origin of, i. 131. note.
- Explanation of terms borrowed from it, ibid.
- Percy (Bishop), notice of his "Friar of Orders Grey," i. 579, 580.
- Ascribes Pericles to Shakspeare, ii. [265].
- Percy (William), a minor poet of the age of Shakspeare, i. 696.
- Perdita, remarks on the character of, in the Winter's Tale, ii. [499], [500].
- Peri, or benevolent fairies of the Persians, notice of, ii. [302].
- Periapts, a sort of spell, supposed influence of, i. 364.
- Pericles, the first of Shakspeare's plays, ii. [262].
- Proofs, that the greater part, if not the whole of it, was his composition, [262], [263]. [265], [266].
- Its omission in the first edition of his works, accounted for, [264].
- Its inequalities considered, [265-267].
- In what parts his genius may be traced, [268].
- Examination of the minor characters, [270], [271].
- Of the personage of Pericles, [272], [273].
- Admirable scene of his recognition of Marina, [274].
- And of his wife Thaisa, [275].
- Character of Marina, examined, [276-279].
- Strict justice of the moral, [279].
- This play imitated by Milton, [ibid.] [note].
- Dryden's testimony to the genuineness and priority of Pericles, [281].
- Internal evidences to the same effect, [282].
- This play probably written in the year 1590, [282], [283].
- Objections to its priority considered and refuted, [285], [286].
- Probability of Mr. Steevens's conjecture that the hero of this drama was originally named Pyrocles, after the hero of Sidney's Arcadia, [283], [284].