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A Dictionary Of The English Language By Samuel Johnson Summary

Decent Essays

A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson was done because Italian and French academies produced many dictionaries of their own tongues and the English century authors feared that their language would soon disappear because of absence of authority. They believed that a dictionary would do a big change since it will be a book that people will need to buy. They believed that Johnson, still an unknown author, would do a great job in creating a good dictionary. Johnson accepted and believed he would finish the dictionary in three years, but it took him nine in total; yet the quantity and quality of work was excellent. Johnson made a dictionary that it known for its size (which was forty thousand words), the illustrative quotations, and the outstanding definitions. He had used quotations from the best English writers, and most of the definitions are clear of any eccentricity.
The Preface to Shakespeare is an essay by Samuel Johnson that praises Shakespeare. Johnson primarily praises Shakespeare for his honest interpretation of manners and life. He likes how Shakespeare interpreted his character and based them on real men and women; and how he connected tragedy and comedy and still show a good representation on nature where there is good and evil, happy and sad moments. His characters are not exaggerated like they are in other author’s works and have real common feelings that everyday people feel. He believes that Hamlet, Macbeth, and other Shakespeare character can

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