Johnson as a Critic Did not produce any great singular work on

criticism Exerted a great influence on English

criticism never before The last of neo-classicists Practical criticism Literature is governed by the writer’s age

and environment

Johnson’s Works as a Critic A dozen papers in Rambler Remarks on poetry in Rasselas Preface to the Plays of Shakespeare Lives of the Poets

Johnson’s Criticism 1 Conformity to nature and reason is the

basic test of literary excellence Not for rigidity in rules Historical estimate is an important factor in

the real estimation of author Poetry affords pleasure Poetry imitates truth or life

Johnson’s Criticism 2 Poetry is an imitation of life through

particular they present universal Imitation should be of general nature That is, what people of most ages do Pleases many and pleases long Morality and truth are the two requirements

of poetry

Johnson’s Criticism 3 Considered epic superior to all other forms

of verse Among the unities Johnson found only the

unity of action is justified by reason Johnson was the first critic to attempt

practical criticism in a systematic way.

To Be Continued