'Preface To Shakespeare' By Dr. Samuel Johnson

 

'Preface To Shakespeare' By Dr. Samuel Johnson 

A▪︎ Introduction,

B▪︎ 'Preface To Shakespeare' Outline Summary-

1- Past And Present,

2- Universal Quality,

3- The Form Of Shakespeare's Plays,

4- Shakespeare And The Unities,

5- Plot And Sources,

6- Shakespeare-A Classic,

7- Themes And Characters,

8- Characterization,

9- Mingling Of Tragic And Comic,

10- Shakespeare's Faults.

▪︎ To Conclude

A▪︎ Introduction-

Dr. Johnson was a famous professional writer. He became a writer at very early age and his work was his only source of livelihood.  He for sometime also work as a translator for publishers.

His satirical poem 'London ' appeared in 1738. In this work he explained the corruptions of the day and appreciate the innocence of the countryside. Johnson's second long poem was 'The Vanity Of Human Wishes' which came in 1749.

Johnson's earlier work also has some journalistic Writing.  He penned articles for the 'Gentlemen's Magazine' very frequently.  One of the most popular Writings of Dr. Johnson is a feature called 'Debates In The Senate Of Lilliput'.

Johnson was connected with two periodicals as well. The Rambler and The Idler. The Rambler has about two hundred essays by Johnson which are often pedantic and stylistic. Those of 'The Idler'are of a lighter vein.

'Rasselas' is the novel written by Johnson. Johnson's proposals for an Edition of Shakespeare's works were presented forward in 1756 and subscriptions were duly raised. Johnson's 'Preface' is a outstanding contribution to English Literature.  Besides the helpful notes are highly informative. 

B▪︎ 'Preface To Shakespeare' Outline Summary-

1- Past And Present-

It is quite proper to have respect for the past and to appreciate the treasures of the past which have been kept and handed down to us. However, in blessing the past one should not look down upon the present.  One must adopt an objective approach towards the achievements of the poet. Literary works, however, are in a different category.  Their merits or demerits can never be perfect but only Comparative and relative. They continue to possess an abiding worth. It is necessary to inquiry into the quality of Shakespeare's genius and arrive at realized judgements. 

2- Universal Quality-

Shakespeare holds the mirror to nature. There is a timeless and universal Quality about his characters. Whereas in the works of other dramatists a character is often an individual, in those of Shakespeare it is Continuously, species. Language in which Shakespeare's characters reveal themselves is that of common life. There are several other sentiments that move the human mind and Shakespeare uses them in his plots as subject matter. Even the supernatural characters in Shakespeare speak and act in a manner which is entirely plausible. 

3- The Form Of Shakespeare's Plays- 

The function of all drama is to teach through pleasing and since mingled drama can do this better, it is quite justifiable. The arguments commonly given against mixing tragedy and comedy are not convincing.  It is mistake to say that the alternation of tragic and comic scenes cancels the efforts of each other.  

Shakespeare's plays may be classified into tragedies, comedies and historical plays, comedy seems to have been closer to Shakespeare's genius than tragedy, therefore we find him giving comic scenes even in his histories and tragedies.  The Language used is appropriate, exactly the language of common people. 

4- Shakespeare And The Unities-

Shakespeare is criticised by the neo-classical critics because his plays do not observe the three unities of time, place and action. Johnson does not agree with them and attempts a strong defence of Shakespeare's practice. According to Johnson the only important unity is that of action, which Shakespeare does see. Plays are to be understood in the light of dramatic illusion. 

5- Plot And Sources-

Shakespeare's plots give a wonderful place to the supernatural.  He borrowed his plots from familiar and in many cases easily accessible, sources. The knowledge of life, particularly of the various professions, that Shakespeare displays is remarkable.  According to Johnson, Shakespeare might have either got this knowledge through books, or through real life experiences.  He was an entertainer, who penned for the satisfaction of the theatre-goers.

6- Shakespeare- A Classic

The works of Shakespeare have got the status of 'classic'. It is possible that in the past Shakespeare's works generated interest by way of personal allusions, but such considerations are no more relevant.  All the same human judgement is never infallible.  Therefore, it is important to look into the reasons which led to the works of Shakespeare acquiring and retaining such regard of his countrymen.

7- Themes And Characters-

Shakespeare has given much importance to this passion in his plots, for he took his ideas from the living world and showed them up in his plays. Love does not seem to play such an important role in actual life, therefore it has a limited role in Shakespeare's dramas.

8- Characterization-

No other dramatist has matched the way Shakespeare has done so. Shakespeare never aimed at getting our attention through hyperbolic or fantastic characters.  We not find any mixture of the giant and the dwarfs in his plays. We do not come across any heroes in Shakespeare's plays, the scenes are occupied by human beings.  Even when the plot requires a supernatural agency, the way in which the Characters speak is absolutely level with life. Shakespeare's plays are the very mirror of life.

9- Mingling Of Tragic And Comic-

Shakespeare has also been condemned for mixing together tragedy and comedy in the same play. Johnson realises that Shakespeare's plays are not, in the rigorous and critical sense either tragedies or comedies.  Life is a mixture of good and bad, happiness and sorrow.  These can be mixed and displayed in endless combinations.  Such mingling reveals the course of life much better in a world where the loss of one is the gain of another. 

10- Shakespeare's Faults-

The first mistake in Shakespeare is that he sacrifices virtue of convenience, and is much less careful to delight than to instruct. It may even appears that he writes without any moral purpose.  His persons pass through right and wrong indifferently, and at the end they are refused without any further care. 

Often just a little more attention would have been enough to improve them, and one feels as if he did not fully understand his own plan. In many if his plays the Concluding part seems to have been neglected. In reality the Concluding part is the one where he ought to have passed his maximum attention. 

▪︎TO CONCLUDE-

In doing the work of editing, Johnson has been unhappily aware of the fact that a lot of paper has often been wasted in confuting others. On the whole, he has kept the middle way between presumption and timidity. He has used authority in case of punctuation. He hopes that his hard work will be understood by the learned.

NOTE: If any doubts you can reach me through the comment section box and I will Get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you...