The Red Badge of Courage [antikvár]

Introduction "If it be now, 'tis not to come. If it be not to come, it will be now. If it be not now, yet it will come: The readiness is all." hamlet (V,2, 23i-234) . . The readiness is all." Thus speaks the young Prince Hamlet just prior to the last great scene of the play. What has transpired up to this point has prepared him for this moment—^his moment of courage; and the realization he arrives at is a rather simple one: A man is courageous when he is ready to meet the challenges of any situation thrust upon him, no matter what the consequences. Henry Fleming of The Red Badge of Courage and young Prince Hamlet seem to have much in common. Each has visions and dreams of greatness. Each has fears, doubts, and misgivings concerning his manliness. Each is introspective. And while the circumstances in which they find themselves are radically different, each of these two young men acquits himself in very admirable fashion. Each transforms from the rash, somewhat naive, but noble-minded youth into the quiet, knowledgeable, truly noble man. Each proves himself truly "most royal." And certainly the echo of Hamlet's "readiness" speech can be heard in Stephen Crane's lines : He felt a quiet manhood, non-assertive but of sturdy and strong blood. He knew that he would no more quail be-