Critically Analyse Preface To Shakespeare Keeping Neo-Classical Views In Mind DOCX

Title	Critically Analyse Preface To Shakespeare Keeping Neo-Classical Views In Mind
Author	Prerona Maity
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1 Critically Analyse Preface To Shakespeare Keeping Neo-Classical Views In Mind “...there is always an appeal open from criticism to nature.”1 Preface to Shakespeare by Johnson was published in the Neo-Classical era and it can be seen as a standalone text of this time as it has torn apart the rigidi...

Description

1 Critically Analyse Preface To Shakespeare Keeping Neo-Classical Views In Mind "...there is always an appeal open from critcism to nature."1 Preface to Shakespeare by Johnson was published in the Neo-Classical era and it can be seen as a standalone text of this tie as it has torn apart the rigidity of theories with ferce individual opinions that are not foried on any prescribed rules but knowledge and instnctt t coies froi the exhauston for an age that was going stagnant by asphyxiatng creatve instncts unless they align with Neo-Classical adherencet Johnson Wood Krutch has said, "tttthe fnal test of a critc is willingness and ability to recognize excellence even when he cannot account for it, to be able to put loyalty to greatness before loyalty to his theories"2 , and Johnson "passes the test with flying colours"t n the Neo-Classical era, we see strict adherence to theories that bring forth the critcisi of Shakespeare not adhering to the classical rulest Johnson tries to refute this and in the process, gives a very iodern approach to critcisi that would last beyond his tiet He went against the values of an entre age to defend Shakespeare by pointng out the hollowness in Neo-Classicisi as they would constantly preach about adhering to rules yet fail to recognise how real life works: as a iixture of the coiic and tragic eleientst Looking back at classical texts, we can see how even in a sober play like Antgone, there have been ateipts to introduce coiic characters and situatonst This illustrates exactly how knowledgeable the so- called "followers of classical traditonsss weret This probably proipted TtS Eliot to uter about Johnson "tttwe cannot say whether to classify hii as the last of one kind or the frst of anothert" While talking about the classical unites that Shakespeare didn't adhere to, Johnson elegantly points out how a person, walking into the theatre, believing the preiise of the play, can also believe that the scene of the play can shif froi Roie to Alexandriat The audience is very aware of the fact that what is being presented on stage is not reality, but a iere representaton of itt The events of the stage are successful not because they are the perfect 1 Johnson, Saiuelt The Preface to Shakespearet 2 Krutch, Joseph Woodt Samuel Johnsont...