events into one day or place is unnecessary Johnson believed this unity is enough to keep the play meaningful No Need for Time Unity Johnson argued that the unity of time is unnecessary in drama Classical rules say the story should happen within hours But Johnson said that real life does not happen in such a short time Shakespeare showed events that take many days He thought the audience can easily imagine the passage of time Johnson believed that the power of imagination is strong People understand that they are watching a play So they do not need real-time events Freedom of Place Johnson trusts the audience s imagination When a play skips time or changes location viewers can adjust For example in The Winter s Tale years pass between acts The audience accepts this because the story is compelling Johnson says strict unities are unnecessary because people understand storytelling Shakespeare respects the audience s ability to imagine About the unity of time and place the author says The unities of time and place are not essential to a just drama that though they may sometimes conduce to pleasure they are always to be sacrificed to the nobler beauties of variety and instruction Mixing Joy and Sorrow is Natural Life has both happiness and sadness Shakespeare mixes comedy and tragedy which critics disliked But Johnson says this mix makes plays feel real For example King Lear has tragic scenes but also funny moments Breaking the unity of mood reflects real life The author says Shakespeare has united the powers of exciting laughter and sorrow not only in one mind but in one composition Strict separation of comedy and tragedy is unrealistic Shakespeare s freedom makes his plays more relatable and engaging Story Over Rules Johnson argues that feelings are more important than rules Shakespeare s characters act like real people even if the plot skips time or place For example Othello s jealousy feels real even if the play covers months in hours Johnson says drama should focus on emotions not technical details Shakespeare s violation of unities does not weaken his plays emotional power To sum up Johnson strongly supported Shakespeare against the critics He believed that drama should show truth and real emotions That is more important than obeying all three unities Johnson praised Shakespeare for keeping the unity of action He also said that time and place do not need to be real because drama uses imagination In the end Johnson defended Shakespeare with clear reasons and showed that his plays are powerful