02152cam a22003013u 45000010005000000030007000050050017000120060002000290070005000310080041000360400011000770410017000880500007001051000032001122450027001442640051001713000047002223360026002693370026002953380036003215000031003575080078003885201244004665340045017106530036017558560042017919990017018335429UtSlPG20260610133138.0mcr n260607r2004||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d  aUtSlPG 7aen2iso639-1 4aPR1 aJohnson, Samuel,d1709-178410aPreface to Shakespeare 1aSalt Lake City, UT :bProject Gutenberg,c2004  a1 online resource :bmultiple file formats  atextbtxt2rdacontent  acomputerbc2rdamedia  aonline resourcebcr2rdacarrier  aRelease date is 2004-04-01  aSteve Harris, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team  a"Preface to Shakespeare" by Samuel Johnson is a critical analysis and commentary on the works of William Shakespeare, written in the mid-18th century. Johnson delves into Shakespeare's literary merit, his understanding of human nature, and the nuances of his storytelling, while also promoting an appreciation for the playwright's timeless relevance in both literature and society.  The opening of this work establishes Johnson's intent to critique the common notions surrounding Shakespeare's legacy. He discusses how society often favors the reverence of antiquity over contemporary excellence and investigates the reasons Shakespeare's works continue to endure. Johnson reflects on the nature of Shakespeare's characters, emphasizing their representation of universal human emotions rather than specific traits tied to their contexts. He also critiques the conventions of drama and engages with the historical context of Shakespeare's writing, showcasing his unique ability to blend tragedy with comedy in ways that reflect the realities of life. Through this thoughtful introduction, Johnson sets the stage for a thorough examination of Shakespeare's plays and their enduring significance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)  nOriginal publication data not identified  aShakespeare, William, 1564-161640uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/5429  c47460d47460