Shakespeare

There has been a great variety of critical approach to Shakespeare's work since his death. During the 17th 1 18th centuries, Shakespeare was both admired and condemned. Since then, much of the adverse criticism 2 considered relevant, although certain issues have continued to interest critics throughout the years. For instance, charges against his moral propriety were made by Samuel Johnson in the 18th century and by George Bernard Shaw in the 20th. Early criticism was directed 3 at questions of form. Shakespeare was criticized for mixing comedy and tragedy and failing to observe the unities of time and place 4 by the rules of classical drama. Dryden and Johnson were among the critics claiming that he had 5 the language with false wit, puns, and ambiguity. 6 some of his early plays might justly be charged with a frivolous use of such devices, 20th-century criticism has tended to praise their use in later plays as adding depth and resonance of meaning.