Preface to Shakespeare

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Essay | Samuel Johnson

Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.

Explain this line: “Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.” The great critic John Ruskin (1819-1900) once said, “Shakespeare has no heroes, but only heroines.” This means Sh...
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How does Johnson extol Shakespeare's merits and censure demerits in his “Preface to Shakespeare?”

How does Johnson extol Shakespeare's merits and censure demerits in his “Preface to Shakespeare?” Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was a great English writer in the 18th century. He wrot...
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Shakespeare as a Poet of Nature

Why is Shakespeare called the poet of nature by Johnson?  Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) called Shakespeare (1564-1616) the “poet of nature.” He said this because Shakespeare wrote abo...
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Write a Short Note on Johnson's edition of Shakespeare's plays

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," (...
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How does Johnson defend Shakespeare?

How does Johnson defend Shakespeare against the charge of the violation of the three unities? In the eighteenth century, many critics said that William Shakespeare (1564-1616) brok...
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Johnson's Evaluation of Shakespeare's Tragedies

Comment on Johnson's evaluation of Shakespeare's tragedies. Samuel Johnson’s (1709-1784) "Preface to Shakespeare," published in 1765, provides a thorough evaluation of  William Sha...
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