Shakespeare as a Poet of Nature

       Shakespeare as a Poet of Nature: An Analysis of Samuel Johnson's Preface to Shakespeare

Introduction

In his celebrated Preface to Shakespeare (1765), Samuel Johnson establishes Shakespeare's supreme position in English literature by defining him as "the poet of nature." Johnson's critical assessment moves beyond contemporary prejudices and neoclassical rules to identify the essential quality that has ensured Shakespeare's enduring greatness: his faithful representation of universal human nature. Johnson argues that Shakespeare's works transcend the limitations of time, place, and individual circumstance to hold up a mirror to the fundamental truths of human existence.

Shakespeare's Enduring Universality

Johnson begins his argument by establishing Shakespeare's test of time as evidence of his natural genius. Shakespeare has "long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit." Unlike works that depend on contemporary fashion or topical relevance, Shakespeare's plays continue to be read for no reason other than "the desire of pleasure," and are "praised only as pleasure is obtained." This spontaneous, continued appeal across generations demonstrates that Shakespeare has captured something essential and permanent in human experience rather than something merely fashionable or artificial.

This endurance suggests that Shakespeare's works speak to fundamental human nature rather than to the particular customs or opinions of any single age.

The Mirror of Life: Shakespeare's Faithful Representation

At the heart of Johnson's argument is his assertion that "Shakespeare is above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and of life." This central metaphor of the mirror establishes Shakespeare not as an inventor of artificial worlds but as a reflector of reality. Johnson repeatedly returns to this idea, concluding that "this therefore is the praise of Shakespeare, that his drama is the mirror of life."

What makes Shakespeare's mirror faithful is its comprehensiveness and accuracy. Shakespeare does not select only the noble, the tragic, or the comic aspects of life; he reflects the full spectrum of human experience. His works capture both the elevated and the ordinary, the heroic and the mundane, presenting life in its actual complexity rather than in idealized or conventionalized forms.

Universal Characters: Species Rather Than Individuals

Johnson distinguishes Shakespeare's characterization from that of other poets by observing that "in the writings of other poets a character is too often an individual; in those of Shakespeare it is commonly a species." This distinction is crucial to understanding Shakespeare as a poet of nature. While other dramatists create singular, peculiar characters whose traits are unique to them, Shakespeare creates representative types that embody universal human qualities.

Shakespeare's characters are "the genuine progeny of common humanity." They are not exceptional beings marked by extraordinary virtue or vice, but recognizable human beings whose motivations, weaknesses, and desires readers can understand and identify with. Johnson notes that "his persons act and speak by the influence of those general passions and principles by which all minds are agitated, and the whole system of life is continued in motion." Shakespeare's characters are moved by love, ambition, jealousy, fear, and hope—the fundamental emotions that drive all human behavior across time and culture.

Realistic Dialogue and Accessible Heroes

Johnson praises Shakespeare's commitment to naturalism in his dialogue and characterization, noting that "Shakespeare excels in accommodating his sentiments to real life." Rather than creating elevated heroes who speak in artificial rhetoric, "Shakespeare has no heroes; his scenes are occupied only by men, who act and speak as the reader thinks that he should himself have spoken or acted on the same occasion." This accessibility is key to Shakespeare's representation of nature—his characters remain within the bounds of ordinary human capability and expression.

Johnson observes that "even where the agency is supernatural the dialogue is level with life." Whether depicting kings or clowns, lovers or villains, ghosts or fairies, Shakespeare maintains a fundamental realism in how his characters express themselves. This consistency reinforces the sense that Shakespeare is always representing human nature, regardless of the extraordinary circumstances in which he places his characters.

Nature Over Accident: The Supremacy of Essential Humanity

Johnson's final key observation is that "Shakespeare always makes nature predominate over accident." By "nature," Johnson means essential human character and universal human responses; by "accident," he means the particular circumstances, customs, or conventions that vary from place to place and time to time. Shakespeare's genius lies in his ability to penetrate through the superficial differences of rank, nationality, and historical period to reveal the common humanity beneath.

Readers in any age can recognize themselves in Shakespeare's characters because those characters are defined by their essential humanity rather than by the temporary and local features of their worlds.

Conclusion

Samuel Johnson's characterization of Shakespeare as "the poet of nature" establishes a critical framework that explains both Shakespeare's contemporary appeal and his enduring legacy. By holding up a faithful mirror to life, by creating characters that represent species rather than individuals, by maintaining realistic dialogue even in extraordinary circumstances, and by making nature predominate over accident, Shakespeare achieved something rare in literature: he captured universal human experience in all its complexity.

Johnson's insight remains valuable because it identifies the source of Shakespeare's power—not in his adherence to classical rules, not in his poetic ornament, not in his moral instruction, but in his unparalleled ability to represent human nature as it actually is. This commitment to nature over artifice, to universal truth over particular convention, ensures that Shakespeare's works continue to be read, not from duty or historical interest, but from "the desire of pleasure"—the pleasure of recognizing ourselves and our common humanity reflected in his faithful mirror.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shakespeare as a Poet of Nature

Introduction

Samuel Johnson was a famous English writer. He wrote a preface (introduction) to Shakespeare's plays. In this preface, Johnson explains why Shakespeare is a great writer. Johnson's main idea is simple: Shakespeare is a "poet of nature." This means Shakespeare writes about real life and real people. This essay will explain what Johnson means.

Shakespeare's Plays Are Still Popular

Johnson says Shakespeare's plays have been popular for a very long time because people read them for pleasure.

This shows that Shakespeare wrote about things that people always care about. He did not write about things that were only important in his own time. He wrote about human feelings and human life that never change.

Shakespeare Shows Real Life

Johnson says Shakespeare is "the poet of nature." It means Shakespeare shows real life in his plays. Johnson says Shakespeare holds up a "mirror" to life. When you look in a mirror, you see yourself. When you read Shakespeare, you see real life.

Shakespeare's plays are not fake or artificial. They show how people really think, feel, and act. This is why Johnson praises Shakespeare so much. Shakespeare's drama is "the mirror of life."

Shakespeare's Characters Are Like Real People

Many writers create strange or unusual characters. But Shakespeare creates characters that feel like real people. Johnson says other writers create "individuals" (one special person). But Shakespeare creates a "species" (a type of person that we all know).

Shakespeare's characters are normal people. They feel love, anger, jealousy, fear, and hope. These are feelings that all people have. Johnson says Shakespeare's characters are "the genuine progeny of common humanity." This means they come from ordinary human nature.

Shakespeare's people "act and speak by the influence of those general passions and principles by which all minds are agitated." In simple words, Shakespeare's characters feel and act the way all humans feel and act.

Shakespeare's Characters Talk Like Normal People

Johnson says "Shakespeare has no heroes." It means Shakespeare does not create perfect, super-human characters. His characters are ordinary men and women. They talk and act like normal people.

Johnson says Shakespeare's characters "act and speak as the reader thinks that he should himself have spoken or acted on the same occasion."

Even when Shakespeare writes about kings, ghosts, or magic, the characters still talk like real people. Johnson says "even where the agency is supernatural the dialogue is level with life." The situations might be unusual, but the feelings and words are real and natural.

Shakespeare Shows Human Nature, Not Just Customs

Different countries and different times have different customs. People dress differently, eat differently, and follow different rules. But human nature is the same everywhere and always.

Johnson says "Shakespeare always makes nature predominate over accident." "Nature" means basic human feelings and character. "Accident" means the customs and rules of a particular time and place.

Shakespeare focuses on human nature, not on accidents. This is why people in India, America, England, or anywhere can understand and enjoy Shakespeare. This is why people 400 years ago and people today can understand Shakespeare. Human nature does not change.

Why This Makes Shakespeare Great

Johnson says Shakespeare is great because he shows real life. He creates real characters. He writes natural dialogue. He focuses on permanent human nature, not on temporary customs.

This is why Shakespeare's plays have lasted so long. This is why people still read them "without any other reason than the desire of pleasure."

Conclusion

Samuel Johnson's main point is clear: Shakespeare is "the poet of nature." He holds up a mirror to life. His characters are real people with real feelings. Shakespeare shows human nature, which is the same in all places and all times.

This is Johnson's "praise of Shakespeare" - that his plays show us ourselves. When we read Shakespeare, we see human life as it really is. This is why Shakespeare is still popular today. This is why Shakespeare is the greatest poet of nature.

 

Key Points to Remember:

1. Shakespeare's plays are still popular after 400 years
2. People read Shakespeare for pleasure, not duty
3. Shakespeare is "the poet of nature" - he shows real life
4. His plays are a "mirror of life"
5. His characters are like real people, not special individuals
6. His characters feel normal human emotions
7. His characters talk like normal people
8. Shakespeare has "no heroes" - just ordinary people
9. Even supernatural stories have natural dialogue
10. Shakespeare shows human nature (permanent) not customs (temporary)