Скачать или смотреть Dr. Johnson as a critic /Johnson's contribution to Shakespeare's criticism. Preface to Shakespeare

Dr. Johnson as a critic /Johnson's contribution to Shakespeare's criticism. Preface to Shakespeare
Samuel Johnson’s preface to The Plays of William Shakespeare has long been considered a classic document of English literary criticism. In it Johnson sets forth his editorial principles and gives an appreciative analysis of the “excellences” and “defects” of the works of Shakespeare. Many of his points have become fundamental tenets of modern criticism; others give greater insight into Johnson’s prejudices than into Shakespeare’s genius. The resonant prose of the preface adds authority to the views of its author.

Johnson defends Shakespeare and justifies his art by arguing that Shakespeare always makes nature predominant over accident. Shakespeare's story may require a Roman senator or a king but he thinks only in terms of men and not particular individuals belonging to a particular time or place.

Johnson does not take a favorable view of Shakespeare's tragic plays. He accuses him of employing a disproportionate pomp of diction. He condemns Shakespeare for inappropriate use of idle conceit and his over-fondness for quibbles. CONCLUSION: Thus, Johnson is a great critic.

No doubt, Johnson is a neo – classical critic but never stands for a blind reverence to authority, ancient or modern. He is for liberty. Historical Approach: Literature according to Johnson is not written to a fixed pattern but is conditioned by the writer's age and environment.

According to Dr. Johnson, the most important thing is preserving the characters' truth to human nature and this Shakespeare does amazingly well. Johnson aptly says that Shakespeare's plays have no heroes, but merely men who act and speak as we ourselves would have done in the same circumstances.
In Johnson's view Shakespeare's comedies are superior to his tragedies and conform more to his genius and temperament. Johnson quotes several instances to support his view in this connection.