The Life of Cowley

Essay | Samuel Johnson

Comment on Dr Johnson as a Critic and Biographer

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Comment on Dr Samuel Johnson as a critic and biographer Or Critically analyze Johnson's art of writing a biography Or Consider Dr Johnson as a critic and biographer with special reference to The Life of Cowley Dr Samuel Johnson - was a great writer and critic He wrote the lives of many poets in his Lives of the Most Eminent English Poets One of them was The Life of Cowley In this work Johnson showed his talent as a biographer He used facts logic and a good writing style He gave clear views about Cowley s life and works His way of writing changed the style of English biography Based on Facts Johnson always used true records in his writing He did not depend on guess or gossip He used Sprat s work Cowley s letters and other old books He used church papers and court records to check every

fact He also read what other people said about Cowley He wanted to find the truth not false praise He corrected the mistakes of other writers That made his biography honest and useful for readers Clear Structure of Life Johnson divided Cowley s life into three parts The first part talks about Cowley s early life The second part gives the ideas of his writings The third part judges his works This clear shape helps readers understand the full life of Cowley He explained each event with care He answered many questions and gave new details His writing makes readers want to learn more Balanced and Fair Johnson was fair in his views He did not hide Cowley s mistakes But he also did not judge him without proof Cowley s stay with the Parliament made some people doubt his loyalty But Johnson said Cowley did not harm the King He just stayed quiet to be safe Johnson believed that silence is not a crime He judged Cowley with balance not with hate or blind love Power of Writing Johnson s writing had a strong voice His style was easy but deep His words had rhythm and charm Some people called his works sad but they were honest He talked about pain loss and truth He wrote with care and emotion His words made Cowley s story feel real His ideas about genius and talent showed deep thought His writing was full of meaning and beauty Mix of Life and Criticism The Life of Cowley was more than a simple life story It was a mix of biography and criticism Johnson told us about Cowley s life and also judged his poems He showed the style faults and ideas of Cowley s works Some parts made debates but they showed Johnson s bold mind He had strong opinions but he always gave reasons He made the readers think deeply about poetry His such talent is evident in the following quotation No man could be born a metaphysical poet nor assume the dignity of a writer by descriptions copied from descriptions by imitations borrowed from imitations by traditional imagery and hereditary similes by readiness of rhyme and volubility of syllables In summary Dr Johnson was a powerful biographer He told Cowley s story with truth care and style He used strong facts deep thoughts and clear writing His book gave life to Cowley s memory He showed how a poet lived worked and changed His writing opened new ways for biography He helped readers feel the real Cowley That is why Johnson is still praised as a great writer and biographer

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