...would have replied. Under this definition he proceeds to criticise the great dramatist in this wise : " He sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is so much...that he seems to write without any moral purpose. * * His precepts and axioms drop casually from him ; he makes no just distribution of good or evil,...

...Was it the "something" that is to be found in "Irene?" — He goes on to inform us that Shakespeare " sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is so much more...to please than to instruct, that he seems to write ivitJiout any moral purpose." (!) It really looks like irony where he observes — " Whenever he solicits...

...reproaches against Shakspeare which are more or less unfounded. His chief fault is said to be that ' he sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is so much...indeed, a system of social duty may be selected, for he that thinks reasonably must think morally ; but his precepts and axioms drop casually from him . ....

...pretentious to renown; and little regard is due to that bigotry which sets candor higher than truth. His first defect is that to which may be imputed most...indeed a system of social duty may be selected, for he that thinks reasonably must think morally ; but his precepts and axioms drop casually from him; he...

...to instruct ;' the end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing. Hence, his criticism of Shakespeare : ' He sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is so much...that he seems to write without any moral purpose. . . . His precepts and axioms drop casually from him ; he makes no just distribution of good or evil...

...materials as they came to hand. Of all things he was the least [didactic. Let us listen to Johnson. ' His first defect is that to which may be imputed most...indeed, a system of social duty may be selected, for he that thinks reasonably must think morally : but his precepts and axioms drop casually from him ; he...

...to instruct.' The end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing ; hence his criticism of Shakespeare: 1 He sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is so much...that he seems to write without any moral purpose. . . . His precepts and axioms drop casually from him; ho makes no just distribution of good or evil,...

...pretensions to renown ; and little regard is due to that bigotry which sets candour higher than truth. e reports . let them fly all , Till Uirnam wood remove to Dunsinane, Asdjs so much more careful taxations of that severity were not very elegduU There must, however, have...

...sufficient to obscure and overwhelm any other merit"; that he sacrifices virtue to convenience, and is BO much more careful to please than to instruct that he seems to write without any moral purpose; that he makes no just distribution of good and evil, nor is always careful to show, in the virtuous,...

...'is to instruct.' The end of poetry is to instruct by pleasing ; hence his criticism of Shakespeare: s only to mark emotions. He is never in want of a...To his eye, all objects, the smallest and most fami writ* without any moral purpose. . . . His precepts and axioms drop casually from him; he makes no...