Topic Notes

• What Are the Reasons for Shakespeare's Universal Popularity?What are the reasons for Shakespeare's universal popularity? William Shakespeare (1564-1616) is one of the most famous writers in the world. People in many countries still read and enjoy his plays. Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) explained[Expand...]
• Shakespeare as a Poet of NatureWhy is Shakespeare called the poet of nature by Johnson?  Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) called Shakespeare (1564-1616) the “poet of nature.” He said this because Shakespeare wrote about real people and real life. His characters and[Expand...]
• Write a Short Note on Johnson's edition of Shakespeare's playsWrite a short note on Johnson's edition of Shakespeare's plays. Samuel Johnson's (1709 – 1784) edition of Shakespeare's plays, accompanied by his famous "Preface to Shakespeare," (1765) is a cornerstone of literary criticism. Johnson’s work[Expand...]
• How does Johnson defend Shakespeare?How does Johnson defend Shakespeare against the charge of the violation of the three unities? In the eighteenth century, many critics said that William Shakespeare (1564-1616) broke the classical unities. These unities are unity of[Expand...]
• Johnson's Evaluation of Shakespeare's TragediesComment on Johnson's evaluation of Shakespeare's tragedies. Samuel Johnson’s (1709-1784) "Preface to Shakespeare," published in 1765, provides a thorough evaluation of  William Shakespeare’s (1564-1616) tragedies. Johnson focuses on both the strengths and weaknesses of Shakespeare’s[Expand...]
• Johnson as a Critic and Biographer of ShakespeareEvaluate Johnson as a critic and biographer of Shakespeare. Samuel Johnson's (1709-1784) "Preface to Shakespeare" (1765) is a significant literary work in which he shares his thoughts and criticism of the renowned playwright William Shakespeare[Expand...]
• How Does Doctor Samuel Johnson Defend Shakespeare’s Violation of the Three Unities?The three unities—unity of time, unity of place, and unity of action—were important rules for writing plays. These rules came from Aristotle’s (384-322 BC) Poetics (likely between 335 and 323 B.C.E.). Many Renaissance critics believed that[Expand...]
• What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s violation of historical chronology?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[Expand...]
• Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.Explain this line: “Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.” The great critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) once said, “Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.” This means Shakespeare’s female characters are often stronger, smarter, and[Expand...]
• How does Johnson defend Shakespeare's mixing of comic and tragic elements?How does Johnson defend Shakespeare's mixing of comic and tragic elements? Some critics said that Shakespeare  (1564-1616) was wrong to mix comedy and tragedy in one play. They thought a play should be only sad[Expand...]
• How does Johnson extol Shakespeare's merits and censure demerits in his “Preface to Shakespeare?”How does Johnson extol Shakespeare's merits and censure demerits in his “Preface to Shakespeare?” Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was a great English writer in the 18th century. He wrote “Preface to Shakespeare” (1765) to both praise[Expand...]