Introduction
Sir Richard Steele was a famous English essayist, dramatist, journalist, and
politician, best known as principal author (with Joseph Addison) of the
periodicals The Tatler and The Spectator.
Steele’s essay, “The Character of
Will Wimble” is about a person called Will Wimble. It traces his character. Steele ends the prose by universalizing the
problem of difference between two brothers – the younger and the elder.
Will’s Letter
Richard Steele visits his friend Sir
Roger de Coverley at his house. He
receives a man with a huge fish and a letter.
The messenger says that Will Wimble caught the fish. He also informs that Will Wimble would dine
with Roger. Sir Roger reads the letter
given by the messenger. Will Wimble has written
it. It says that Will is willing to stay
with him for a week. Will promises to
bring lash for his whip. He also informs
that he had been busy helping Sir John’s family.
Character of Will
Will is a younger brother of a
baronet. He is about forty and
fifty. He had no specific business to do. He helps people with his handicraft
skills. He makes angle rods. He always carries tulips, which he gifts to
the family members. He some times gifts
puppies. Many people love him. He presents hand made clothes to women.
He comes to Sir Roger’s house. On his way, he cuts a few hazel twigs. He is given a hearty welcome. He loves Sir Roger. He requests Roger to give a servant who would
carry shuttle cocks to a lady nearby. He
then talks about adventurous stories, which attracts Steele.
Conclusion
They eat the fish, during which time
Will talks about the way he caught the fish.
After dinner Steele feels pity for Will.
He considers Will as a responsible man but he is without a job on his
own. It is been a practice in Europe
that the elder brothers take care of the business and the younger ones are left
for the family. Steele does not like
this. If Will had been into the field of
commerce, he would have shined.
