What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s violation of historical chronology?
Preface to Shakespeare is a notable literary work by Samuel Johnson. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Preface to Shakespeare.
Answer
What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s violation of historical chronology?
Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) is a famous English author and critic. His “Preface to Shakespeare” (1765) talks about many good and bad sides of Shakespeare. Among the many, one problem is Shakespeare’s violation of historical chronology. He puts things from one time into another. This is called a violation of historical chronology.
Wrong Time and Place: Shakespeare sometimes mixes modern things with old stories. For example, he puts clocks or guns in plays set in ancient Rome. This is not historically correct. But Johnson says Shakespeare did this to make the play more interesting. He wanted to please the audience. So, he used familiar things. The author says,
“He had no regard for time and place, but he gives to one age or nation, without scruple the customs, institutions and opinions of another.”
Modern Elements in Ancient Settings: Shakespeare’s history plays often show modern things. These include clothes, habits, and ideas. Some people, like Johnson, thought this was lazy. But Johnson also said plays are not for history lessons. People watch them for good stories. And Shakespeare told great stories.
Priority on Drama Over Accuracy: Johnson said Shakespeare cared more about drama than facts. He wanted the feelings to be real, not the history. His plays touch people because they feel true. They do not have to be exact. Johnson thought this mattered more than correct dates.
In short, Johnson knew Shakespeare got some history wrong. But he said these mistakes are small. They do not hurt the beauty of his plays. The feelings and truths about life matter more than facts. That is why Johnson still called him a great writer. His talent and wisdom stayed strong, even with these errors. People should enjoy the stories, not treat them like history books.