Now-a-days we see men represented upon the Theatre without the interposition of the Gods; and this conduct is infinitely more useful both to the Publick, and to private Persons: for in our Tragedies we neither introduce any Villain who is not detested, nor any Heroe, who does not cause himself to be admired. With us, few Crimes escape unpunished, and few Virtues go off unrewarded. In short, by the good Examples we publickly represent on the Theatre, by the agreeable Sentiments of Love and Admiration, which are discreetly interwoven with a rectified Fear and Pity, we are in a capacity of arriving to that perfection which Horace desires:
Omne tulit punctum, qui miscuit utile dulci:
which can never be effected by the rules of the Antient Tragedy.
I shall conclude with a new and daring Thought of my own, and that is this: we ought in Tragedy, before all things whatever, to look after a Greatness of Soul well express'd, which excites in us a tender Admiration. By this sort of Admiration our Minds are sensibly ravished, our Courages elevated, and our Souls deeply affected.
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