What does Johnson say about Shakespeare s violation of historical chronology Samuel Johnson - is a famous English author and critic His Preface to Shakespeare talks about many good and bad sides of Shakespeare Among the many one problem is Shakespeare s violation of historical chronology He puts things from one time into another This is called a violation of historical chronology Wrong Time and Place Shakespeare sometimes mixes modern things with old stories For example he puts clocks or guns in plays set in ancient Rome This is not historically correct But Johnson says Shakespeare did this to make the play more interesting He wanted to please the audience So he used familiar things The author says He had no regard for time and place but he gives to one age or nation without scruple the customs institutions and opinions of another Modern Elements in Ancient Settings Shakespeare s