Question:
Which of the following critics preferred Shakespeare’s comedies to his tragedies?
Which of the following critics preferred Shakespeare’s comedies to his tragedies?
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Samuel Johnson preferred Shakespeare’s comedies to his tragedies for their universal human qualities and moral insights.
Updated On: Nov 21, 2025
- Samuel Johnson
- Alexander Pope
- John Dryden
- Thomas De Quincey
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Johnson's preference for Shakespeare's comedies.
Samuel Johnson, in his critical works, expressed a preference for Shakespeare's comedies over his tragedies. He admired the humor, wit, and moral lessons presented in the comedies. Johnson believed that Shakespeare's comedies reflected a more universally human aspect compared to the more tragic aspects of human nature explored in his tragedies.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
- (A) Samuel Johnson: Correct, Johnson preferred the comedies over the tragedies.
- (B) Alexander Pope: Pope was a contemporary of Johnson but did not express a preference for Shakespeare’s comedies over his tragedies.
- (C) John Dryden: Dryden was another prominent critic of Shakespeare but did not have a notable preference for comedies.
- (D) Thomas De Quincey: De Quincey was a Romantic critic who did not express a preference for Shakespeare's comedies.
Thus, the correct answer is (A).
Samuel Johnson, in his critical works, expressed a preference for Shakespeare's comedies over his tragedies. He admired the humor, wit, and moral lessons presented in the comedies. Johnson believed that Shakespeare's comedies reflected a more universally human aspect compared to the more tragic aspects of human nature explored in his tragedies.
Step 2: Evaluate each option.
- (A) Samuel Johnson: Correct, Johnson preferred the comedies over the tragedies.
- (B) Alexander Pope: Pope was a contemporary of Johnson but did not express a preference for Shakespeare’s comedies over his tragedies.
- (C) John Dryden: Dryden was another prominent critic of Shakespeare but did not have a notable preference for comedies.
- (D) Thomas De Quincey: De Quincey was a Romantic critic who did not express a preference for Shakespeare's comedies.
Thus, the correct answer is (A).
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