4. The Comedy of Errors—Source: the Menæchmi of Plautus. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Read Act v., Scene 1 (from "enter a servant" on).
Books to Consult—Hudson: The Harvard Shakespeare (introductions and notes). Lang: Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors. List of Songs by Shakespeare set to Music: the New Shakespeare Society.
V—PLAYS OF SENTIMENT
1. Romeo and Juliet—Source: William Painter's Palace of Pleasure. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Essentially lyrical quality of this play. Compare Ophelia and Juliet. Read Act ii., Scene 2. Reading from A Study of Romeo in J. J. Chapman's Emerson and Other Essays.
2. As You Like It—Source: Lodge's Rosalynde. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Note the part of Adam, which Shakespeare played himself. Compare Juliet and Rosalind. Read Act ii., Scene 4, and Act iii., Scene 2. Readings from Hamilton Mabie's In the Forest of Arden and William Winter's Old Shrines and Ivy.
3. The Merchant of Venice—Source: the Italian Tale, Il Pecorone. Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. Discuss the question, Who is the hero of the drama? Read from Act iii., Scene 2, and Act iv., Scene 1 (Portia's plea). Reading from Philipson's The Jew in English Fiction.
Books to Consult—Hiram Corson: Introduction to Shakespeare. Fleming: How to Study Shakespeare. Dowden: Transcripts and Studies (for Romeo and Juliet). Stopford Brooke: On Ten Plays of Shakespeare (for As You Like It). Introductions to the several plays by Brandes, R. G. White and Rolfe (popular).
The heroines of these plays are among the loveliest in Shakespeare. A special paper might be prepared on them, illustrating it with their famous speeches.
VI—PLAYS OF FANCY
1. Midsummer Night's Dream—Source: old tales (Petrarch, Ovid, Chaucer, etc.). Synopsis of the plot and analysis of the chief characters. An early play, full of sprightly gaiety. Splendid metrical command. Influence on later literature and music (Faust, Oberon). Read Act iii., Scene 1. Also the Pyramus and Thisbe part.