JOURNAL ARTICLE

Samuel Johnson on Shakespeare and John Keats's 'On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again' (1818).

  • Published In: Notes & Queries, 2025, v. 72, n. 1. P. 79 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Lisica, Flora 3 of 3

Abstract

Keats's poem 'On Sitting Down to Read King Lear Once Again' reflects his deep admiration for Shakespeare, particularly in contrast to Samuel Johnson's critical commentary. Keats's annotations in his copy of Shakespeare's works reveal his disagreement with Johnson's interpretations, suggesting that Johnson may have misunderstood Shakespeare's texts. Keats's metaphorical language, invoking Shakespeare as the 'Chief Poet' and King Lear as an 'old oak forest', aligns with Johnson's characterization of Shakespeare as a poet of nature. Despite their differences, Keats's sonnet implies a shared appreciation for Shakespeare's enduring themes, hinting at a common ground between the two writers. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Notes & Queries. 2025/03, Vol. 72, Issue 1, p79
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0029-3970
  • DOI:10.1093/notesj/gjae126
  • Accession Number:184955027
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