Write a Short Note on Johnson’s edition of Shakespeare’s plays
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, to various questions of Preface to Shakespeare.
Answer
Write 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 not only presented a more accurate version of Shakespeare’s texts but also provided insightful commentary. Here are key points highlighting the significance and impact of Johnson’s edition:
Justification of Shakespeare’s Greatness: In his preface, Johnson emphasizes Shakespeare’s enduring relevance and popularity, which he sees as evidence of the playwright’s greatness. Johnson states,
Shakespeare is, above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and of life.
This means that Shakespeare had the ability to depict human nature and life accurately. This makes his works timeless. Johnson argues that Shakespeare’s plays have universal appeal because they capture human experiences, emotions, and behaviours, which remain relevant across ages.
Critical Evaluation of Shakespeare’s Faults: While Johnson praises Shakespeare’s genius, he also does not shy away from pointing out his flaws. He writes about Shakespeare that,
He seems to write without any moral purpose.
Johnson criticizes Shakespeare for sometimes prioritizing entertainment over moral instruction.
Rejection of Classical Unities: Johnson challenges the classical unities of time and place. These were traditionally considered essential for maintaining the length of a play. However, he believes that audiences are aware they are watching a play. They can accept changes in time and location without losing their suspension of disbelief.
Improvement and Accuracy of Texts: Johnson also discusses the challenges he faced in editing Shakespeare’s works. He points out that previous editions had many errors. Johnson worked to correct these mistakes. He improves the text’s accuracy. This makes it more accessible to readers. Despite these challenges, Johnson acknowledges the imperfections in Shakespeare’s works but highlights that these do not reduce the overall greatness of his plays.
In conclusion, Samuel Johnson’s edition of Shakespeare’s plays, along with his insightful preface, significantly contributed to the understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare’s works. His work not only honoured Shakespeare’s genius but also paved the way for modern approaches to literary analysis and editing.