Preface to Shakespeare

Name: Preface to Shakespeare
Author: Samuel Johnson

By Samuel Johnson

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About This Book

An extended critical essay contends that long survival and continual esteem are the best tests for works whose excellence cannot be demonstrated mathematically, and it interrogates unthinking reverence for antiquity. It explains how enduring attention refines judgment, then defends a dramatist whose power lies in faithful representations of common human nature, natural dialogue, and the varied passions that shape conduct. The essay contrasts such realism with the exaggerated heroes and contrived plots of other playwrights, argues that characters often function as types conveying practical wisdom, and emphasizes coherence of action over isolated brilliance.

About the Author

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer and lexicographer, best known for his comprehensive dictionary, "A Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. His literary contributions span various genres, including poetry, essays, and biography. Johnson's works often reflect his keen insight into human nature and society, as seen in his notable titles such as "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" and "Lives of the English Poets." He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, engaging with contemporaries like James Boswell, whose biography of Johnson remains a classic. His legacy endures in the realms of literature and language.