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Preface To William Shakespeare Quiz

The Preface to William Shakespeare Quiz focuses on Samuel Johnson’s seminal 1765 article and defence of tragi-comedy. Scholars will find this challenge rewarding as they examine Johnson’s perspectives on the “unities” of time and place. Mastering this material provides you a thorough understanding of early literary criticism. It’s a must for any serious student.

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s adherence to the unities of time and place?

He improves on them

He adapts them moderately

He follows them strictly

He ignores them

None

What does Johnson praise about Shakespeare’s language?

It is full of Latinisms

It imitates French poets

It is highly ornate

It captures everyday speech

None

Which aspect of Shakespeare’s writing does Johnson find inconsistent?

Moral judgment

Plot construction

Dialogue

Characterization

None

In the Preface, Johnson praises Shakespeare for his understanding of what?

Religion

Philosophy

Politics

Human nature

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s historical plays?

They combine truth and imagination

They are purely fictional

They are entirely factual

They lack emotion

None

Which of Shakespeare’s genres does Johnson find most successful?

Satire

Romance

History

Tragedy

None

According to Johnson, how do Shakespeare’s plays appeal to audiences?

By imitating classical drama

By representing real life

By teaching strict morals

By using elaborate language

None

In what year was Johnson’s Preface to Shakespeare published?

1755

1765

1780

1770

None

What does Johnson criticize about Shakespeare’s endings?

They follow the unities too closely

They are too tragic

They are often careless

They are too long

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s depiction of kings and nobles?

They are shown as perfect

They are shown as human

They are idealized heroes

They are mocked constantly

None

What does Johnson criticize in Shakespeare’s plays?

Lack of moral purpose

Limited vocabulary

Too much rhyme

Weak characters

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s portrayal of passion?

It is true and natural

It is unemotional

It is too subtle

It is exaggerated

None

According to Johnson, what is Shakespeare’s greatest strength?

His knowledge of history

Representation of universal human emotions

His focus on morality

His use of rhyme

None

Who wrote the Preface to Shakespeare?

Samuel Johnson

John Dryden

Ben Jonson

Alexander Pope

None

What does Johnson mean when he calls Shakespeare “the poet of nature”?

He writes about forests and fields

He imitates natural scenery

He portrays genuine human behavior

He follows natural philosophy

None

According to Johnson, what is Shakespeare’s purpose in writing plays?

To glorify rulers

To teach moral law

To please and instruct

To follow Aristotle’s rules

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s comedy and tragedy?

Both are equally strong

Tragedy is superior

Comedy is weak

Comedy lacks structure

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s learning?

He mastered Greek and Latin

He was not formally educated in classics

He imitated ancient poets

He was a scholar of Aristotle

None

What does Johnson think about editing Shakespeare’s texts?

It has already been perfected

It is easy with clear sources

It is difficult due to corrupt editions

It is unnecessary

None

What does Johnson note about Shakespeare’s villains?

They have complex motives

They are purely evil

They are comedic

They are unrealistic

None

What lasting judgment does Johnson give of Shakespeare?

He was overrated by critics

He was only popular in his time

He belongs to all ages

He was a local dramatist

None

What type of work is the Preface to Shakespeare?

Play

Essay on language

Biography

Literary criticism

None

What does Johnson think of Shakespeare’s style?

Artificial and forced

Too poetic

Too formal

Natural and expressive

None

According to Johnson, what is one fault in Shakespeare’s writing?

Weak dialogue

Lack of imagination

Too much rhyme

Puns and wordplay

None

What does Johnson admire about Shakespeare’s audience appeal?

He pleases both the learned and the unlearned

He writes only for scholars

He focuses on royal courts

He appeals only to the poor

None

What does Johnson say about Shakespeare’s faults overall?

They are outweighed by his virtues

They ruin his greatness

They make him ordinary

They are unforgivable

None

Which quality does Johnson say makes Shakespeare timeless?

Patriotic subjects

Complex language

Truth to human experience

Use of royal themes

None

What does Johnson mean by “Shakespeare’s plays are not in the rigorous plan of the ancients”?

They do not follow classical rules

They imitate Greek plays

They are structured by Aristotle’s logic

They are written in Latin form

None

Which of Aristotle’s unities does Johnson find most valuable?

Unity of action

Unity of place

Unity of character

Unity of time

None

What does Johnson claim about Shakespeare’s depiction of characters?

They are idealized

They are unrealistic

They are exaggerated

They are true to nature

None

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Author: Remmar