Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies

Name: Notes to Shakespeare, Volume III: The Tragedies
Author: Samuel Johnson

By Samuel Johnson

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British Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

The volume presents a long introduction and detailed line-by-line notes on Shakespeare's tragedies, combining textual emendation, lexical glosses, and historical context such as contemporary beliefs about witchcraft. The commentator alternates between passionate response to certain scenes and calm editorial explanation, assessing dramatic probability, moral tone, and theatrical practice. Close readings of speeches, source comparisons, and practical editorial judgments aim to clarify meaning, resolve textual difficulties, and guide interpretation for readers and performers.

About the Author

Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) was an influential English writer and lexicographer, best known for his comprehensive dictionary, "A Dictionary of the English Language," which laid the groundwork for modern lexicography. His literary contributions span various genres, including poetry, essays, and biography. Johnson's works often reflect his keen insight into human nature and society, as seen in his notable titles such as "A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland" and "Lives of the English Poets." He was a prominent figure in the literary circles of his time, engaging with contemporaries like James Boswell, whose biography of Johnson remains a classic. His legacy endures in the realms of literature and language.