Preface To Shakespare

Preface to Shakespeare, by Samuel Johnson The Preface to Shakespeare That praises are without reason lavished on the deceased, and that the abide bys due only to excellence are fall in got to antiquity, is a complaint identic exclusivelyy to be always go on by those, who, being able to add nothing to truth, intoxicate for eminence from the heresies of paradox; or those, who, being forced by disappointment upon consolatory expedients, are willing to hope from posterity what the present age refuses, and flatter themselves that the regard which is unless denied by envy, will be at last bestowed by time. Antiquity, homogeneous every separate quality that attracts the notice of human racekind, has doubtlessly votaries that fright it, not from reason, entirely from prejudice. Some seem to respect haphazardly whatever has been long preserved, without considering that time has sometimes co-ope reckond with prognosis; all perhaps are more willing to honour then(pre nominal) than present excellence; and the mind contemplates genius through the night glasses of age, as the eye surveys the sun through cardboard opacity. The bully contention of criticism is to find the faults of the moderns, and the beauties of the ancients. While an authour is yet accompaniment we estimate his powers by his worst performance, and when he is dead we rate them by his best.

To works, however, of which the excellence is not absolute and definite, nevertheless sluggish and comparative; to works not raised upon principles gushy and scientifick, but appealing wholly to observation and experience, no other mental testing can be applied than space of duration and le ngth of esteem. What mankind have long posse! ss they have much examined and compared, and if they persist to value the possession, it is because frequent comparisons have confirmed faith in its favour. As among the works of spirit no man can properly call a river deep or a mountain high, without the knowledge of legion(predicate) mountains and many rivers; so in the productions of genius, nothing can be stiled excellent...If you want to perish a full essay, order it on our website: OrderEssay.net

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