Preface to Shakespeare by Samuel Johnson
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"Preface to Shakespeare" by Samuel Johnson is a critical analysis and commentary on the works of William Shakespeare, written in the mid-18th century. Johnson delves into Shakespeare's literary merit, his understanding of human nature, and the nuances of his storytelling, while also promoting an appreciation for the playwright's timeless relevance in both literature and society. The opening of this work establishes Johnson's intent to critique the common notions surrounding Shakespeare's legacy. He
discusses how society often favors the reverence of antiquity over contemporary excellence and investigates the reasons Shakespeare's works continue to endure. Johnson reflects on the nature of Shakespeare's characters, emphasizing their representation of universal human emotions rather than specific traits tied to their contexts. He also critiques the conventions of drama and engages with the historical context of Shakespeare's writing, showcasing his unique ability to blend tragedy with comedy in ways that reflect the realities of life. Through this thoughtful introduction, Johnson sets the stage for a thorough examination of Shakespeare's plays and their enduring significance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Johnson, Samuel, 1709-1784 |
|---|---|
| Title | Preface to Shakespeare |
| Credits | Steve Harris, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 48.8 (College-level). Difficult to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 5429 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-05429-2 |
| Release Date | Apr 1, 2004 |
| Last Update | Dec 28, 2020 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 2067 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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