Preface to Shakespeare - Classic Text | Alexandria
Preface to Shakespeare, more than a mere introduction, is a landmark critical essay by Samuel Johnson, a monument of English literary scholarship that has, paradoxically, shaped our understanding of Shakespeare while simultaneously illuminating the intellectual landscape of the 18th century. Often mistaken solely as an endorsement of Shakespeare's genius, the Preface in truth wrestles with the complexities of Shakespeare's artistry, offering both high praise and pointed critique.
Johnson's Preface prefaced the 1765 edition of The Plays of William Shakespeare. Published in an era defined by strict adherence to classical dramatic unities and a veneration for established literary traditions, Johnson's bold defense of Shakespeare’s disregard for these conventions was revolutionary. The Preface itself emerged from a period of intense literary debate, fueled by earlier editions of Shakespeare and growing appreciation amidst controversies over theatrical presentation alongside scholarly interpretation. Johnson's work stands as a conscious attempt to grapple not only with Shakespeare's dramatic output but also with the existing body of commentary on that achievement.
Over time, the interpretation of the Preface has evolved from seeing it as simply a declaration of Shakespeare's genius to recognizing it as a complex and nuanced argument about literary value. Romantic critics like Coleridge, while acknowledging Johnson's intellect, took issue with his seemingly rationalistic approach to Shakespeare's imaginative power. Modern scholarship continues to debate Johnson's precise intentions and the underlying philosophical assumptions that guided his analysis. Did Johnson truly admire Shakespeare's ability to mirror human nature, warts and all, or did he, perhaps unconsciously, project his own anxieties about artistic genius onto the Bard? The Preface also raises intriguing questions about the role of the critic – is it to judge according to rigid rules or to understand and contextualize the work within its own historical and cultural framework?
Today, the Preface remains a vital text not only for Shakespearean scholars but also for anyone interested in the history of literary criticism and the enduring power of Shakespeare. It is often considered key to how Shakespeare ascended to iconic cultural status, even though the full extent of Johnson's contribution and the mysteries surrounding his intellectual process continue to invite exploration. What, precisely, did Johnson truly believe about Shakespeare's enduring appeal, and to what extent does his Preface reveal as much about its author as it does about its subject?