The first question: Dear God, no.

As for the second part, perhaps that's more the critique of the editor's eye, an area that has raised conflict between writers and editors since (I assume) Shakespeare's day. A writer may argue that adding the word "open" adds a little oomph, even if it isn't technically necessary. Also, when I see "open" I really do see the log splitting all the way open, instead of, perhaps, just cracking in the middle some.

Never mind that, Shakespeare probably was lucky enough not to have to worry about an editor's redaction. :-)