Introduction: William Shakespeare (1564-1616), the most brilliant, gorgeous, astonishingly handsome and ambidextrous figure in the realm of English drama is second to none in versatility of genius. Shakespeare’s plays are pure gold. They have many excellences. Dr. Samuel Johnson, as a neo-classical critic, very minutely tries to expose the absolute genius, keen intellect, genuine excellence and everlasting significance of William Shakespeare. Johnson’s admiration for Shakespeare was not merely passionate but spontaneous. With more eloquent and justifiable attitude, Johnson has discovered new horizons in the world of Shakespeare’s readers. Merits of Shakespeare/ Shakespeare as a poet of nature.
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A representation of general nature: Shakespeare’s plays are just the representation of general nature that brings immortality to literary works. A faithful representation of nature is a source of pleasure to many people and such a representation continues to give pleasure. The wonderful or artificial thing does not give delight for a long time. But only the thing, which is based on truth, can be a source of permanent and perpetual pleasure. So Johnson rightly says,
“Nothing can please many and please long, but just representation of general nature.“
Here it is noted that, according to classical view, art imitates nature. For Johnson, nature is not life but life is the “actual and particular occurrences or persons.”
A faithful mirror of manners and life: According to Johnson, Shakespeare is the poet of human more than any other modern writer. His plays offer a faithful picture of real life. In Johnson’s words,
“Shakespeare is above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers: faithful mirror of manners and of life.”
Shakespeare’s characters are so realistic that Johnson says,
“Shakespeare has no heroes, his scenes are occupied only by men.”
The speakers in Shakespeare’s plays are men, who act and speak as the reader thinks. His characters are also a portrayal of human nature, because undoubtedly Shakespeare shows encyclopedic knowledge of human nature. So his characters have been extremely decorated by both common and extraordinary situations of real life.
Intransient characters: Shakespeare’s Characters are the authentic and genuine product of common humanity. So,
“his characters are not modified by the customs of particular places.”
Undoubtedly Shakespeare’s characters do not belong to the society of definite place or time. They are enduring and universal, representing every man. His characters have a universal appeal. They speak by the influence of those, which are experienced by all mankind. A character portrayed by Shakespeare is not generally an individual but a species.
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Selected quotations never give the correct idea: Selected quotations or passages from his plays can never give the readers the correct idea of Shakespeare’s real greatness. His plays are full of “practical axioms and domestic wisdom. So it is exactly said that, to reveal his genius through some particular passages or quotations is like describing the existence and beauty of a house by showing a brick.
Realistic dialogues: Shakespeare distinguishes himself from his contemporary writers as a thoroughly realistic dialogue maker. Unlike the other authors Shakespeare always rejects the unfamiliar characters, dead language and unreliable or peculiar subjects, which are never seen in real life. The dialogues in his plays are based on the actual conversation of people through a wise selection.
Theme of love, not exaggerated: Generally, dramatists give an exaggeration and hyperbolic importance in the theme of love in their plays. They do not realize that love is only one of many passions of mankind. Its influence is also extremely limited on the totality of life. But Shakespeare really understood this fact. That is why, he has not presented love in an excessive manner in his plays. He exhibits only what he saw in real life.
Individuality of character: Shakespeare’s characters are universally delineated, but it is easy to distinguish one from another. His every character is distinctly individualized. It is true that no speeches made by Shakespeare’s characters can be properly transferred to any other Shakespearian characters.
Unforgetful character: His characters are so vividly and convincingly presented that we know them better than our nearest relatives. We may our bosom friends but we can never forget- Rosalind, Orlando, Macbeth, Hamlet, Antonio, Shylock, Desdemona, Cordelia, Olivia, Sebastian, Portia, Bassanio, Othello, King Lear, Romeo, Juliet etc.
His drama, the mirror of life: This is the praise of Shakespeare, says that his drama is the mirror of life. His characters express the human sentiments in human language from real life.
Tragi-Comedy, another striking feature: Johnson agrees that Shakespeare’s plays are neither comedies nor tragedies. But in a real sense, the free use of tragedy and comedy in the same play is one of the most striking features in the work of Shakespeare and other romantic dramatists of his time. Though the neo-classical theory does not permit this mixture, yet Johnson vindicates such mingling. He says, the imitation of general human nature not only permits it, but also eagerly demands it.
Spontaneous comic sense: Shakespeare wrote his plays in accordance with his natural disposition. He was unaware of the “rules” of drama in writing tragedy writings. According to Johnson, in writing Shakespeare had to toil hard. But his comic senses are very spontaneous and successful. In his tragic scenes there is always something wanting but his comic scenes often surpass our expectations. His tragedy seems to be the result of his skill, but his comedy is the product of his instinct.
Father of English Drama: Johnson attributes to Shakespeare, a born genius, the credit of being the father of English drama. Really Shakespeare was the giver of breath and life to “the form, the character, the language and shows” of English drama.
Versatile genius: Shakespeare’s success is all round. He is equally a master of tragedy, comedy and tragi-comedy. His versatile genius creates impressive characters and very attractive situations in his plays without any repetition.
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Violation of classical unities: Johnson vindicates Shakespeare’s violation of two classical unities-unities of time and place. Johnson thinks that only the unity of action is important for a play and Shakespeare’s plays preserve this unity satisfactorily. His plays generally have a beginning, middle and an end, as required by Aristotle. The end of his play also marks the end of expectation. So Johnson justifies that there is no essentiality of the other two unities- time and place.
Conclusion: From this above discussion, it is wise to say that no other dramatist has been successful in attaining the heights, which he has achieved. Johnson’s admiration for Shakespeare is not merely passionate but instinctive too. Johnson, in a series of eloquent paragraphs, tries Shakespeare by the test of time, nature, and universality and finally finds him supreme in all.
