Samuel Johnson’s Insights On The Lives Of Poets
The Lives Of The Poets by Samuel Johnson: Quick Answer
- The Lives of The Poets by Samuel Johnson offers incisive, often critical, biographical sketches of major English poets, focusing on their moral character and literary contributions.
- It is best approached as a historical document reflecting 18th-century literary criticism and societal values, rather than a comprehensive or purely objective biography.
- Readers seeking a balanced, modern perspective on these poets may find Johnson’s judgments harsh, but its influence on literary biography is undeniable.
Who This Is For
- Students and scholars of 18th-century literature and criticism.
- Readers interested in the development of literary biography and Samuel Johnson’s critical framework.
- Audible Audiobook
- James Boswell (Author) - David Timson (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 12/28/2017 (Publication Date) - Naxos AudioBooks (Publisher)
What to Check First
- Johnson’s Critical Stance: Recognize that Johnson’s evaluations are deeply rooted in his own moral and aesthetic principles, often prioritizing didacticism and good sense.
- Historical Context: Understand that the work reflects the literary landscape and social norms of the late 18th century, which differ significantly from contemporary views.
- Biographical Focus: Note that Johnson often prioritizes the poet’s life and character as explanatory factors for their work, sometimes to the detriment of purely literary analysis.
- Selection of Poets: Be aware that Johnson’s selection of poets is not exhaustive and reflects his personal canon and perceived importance.
Step-by-Step Plan for Engaging with The Lives of The Poets
1. Read the Preface: Action: Begin by reading Johnson’s preface to gauge his stated intentions and critical methodology. What to look for: Johnson’s rationale for compiling the collection and his definition of a poet’s life. Mistake to avoid: Skipping the preface and assuming a neutral biographical approach.
2. Examine the Introduction to Milton: Action: Analyze Johnson’s assessment of John Milton, a poet he held in low regard. What to look for: Examples of Johnson’s severe judgments and his focus on perceived moral failings. Mistake to avoid: Accepting Johnson’s critique of Milton as definitive without considering other perspectives.
3. Review the Entry on Pope: Action: Study Johnson’s treatment of Alexander Pope, a poet Johnson admired more conventionally. What to look for: How Johnson balances praise for poetic skill with commentary on Pope’s personal life and temperament. Mistake to avoid: Overlooking Johnson’s own biases, even when he praises a poet.
4. Consider the Entry on Gray: Action: Evaluate Johnson’s famously dismissive remarks on Thomas Gray. What to look for: Johnson’s criticisms of Gray’s “want of universality” and perceived melancholy. Mistake to avoid: Believing Johnson’s criticisms represent a universal truth about Gray’s poetry.
5. Note Johnson’s Moralizing Tendencies: Action: Throughout your reading, identify instances where Johnson injects moral commentary or judgment into his biographical accounts. What to look for: Phrases and sentences that explicitly evaluate the poets’ virtue or vice. Mistake to avoid: Disregarding the moral dimension as extraneous to literary merit.
6. Compare Johnson’s Views to Modern Scholarship: Action: After reading specific entries, consult modern critical biographies or scholarly articles on the poets Johnson discusses. What to look for: Contrasting interpretations of the poets’ lives and works. Mistake to avoid: Treating Johnson’s pronouncements as the final word on these figures.
The Lives Of The Poets by Samuel Johnson: A Contrarian Perspective
A common misconception about The Lives Of The Poets by Samuel Johnson is that it serves as a straightforward, objective biographical dictionary of English poets. The contrarian view suggests this work is far more a testament to Johnson’s own prescriptive literary and moral agenda than a neutral historical record. Johnson did not merely recount lives; he judged them, often harshly, using them as case studies to reinforce his ideals of reason, virtue, and proper poetic conduct. His evaluations are less about unveiling the “truth” of a poet’s life and more about demonstrating how those lives either conformed to or deviated from his own stringent standards. This perspective shift is crucial for understanding the work’s true nature and limitations.
Common Myths About The Lives Of The Poets
- Myth: Johnson’s biographies are comprehensive accounts of each poet’s life.
- Why it matters: This leads readers to expect exhaustive detail, which is often absent. Johnson selects anecdotes and details that serve his argument, not necessarily the full life story.
- Fix: Approach each entry as a focused essay on the poet’s character and work as it relates to Johnson’s critical framework, not as a complete biography.
- Myth: Johnson’s judgments are universally accepted literary truths.
- Why it matters: This can lead readers to dismiss poets based on Johnson’s often biased critiques, overlooking later scholarly re-evaluations.
- Fix: Always read Johnson’s critiques alongside contemporary and modern scholarship to gain a balanced understanding of the poets’ legacies.
- Myth: The work is primarily an objective literary critique.
- Why it matters: This overlooks the significant moral and personal judgments that heavily influence Johnson’s assessments. His moralizing can overshadow purely aesthetic analysis.
- Fix: Actively look for Johnson’s moral pronouncements and consider how they shape his evaluation of the poetry.
Expert Tips for Reading The Lives of The Poets
- Tip: Focus on Johnson’s critical vocabulary.
- Actionable Step: Keep a running list of adjectives and phrases Johnson uses repeatedly to describe poets he admires (e.g., “sound judgment,” “clear expression”) versus those he dislikes (e.g., “feeble,” “unnatural,” “unmeaning”).
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Reading the text without paying attention to the specific language Johnson employs to convey his approval or disapproval.
- Tip: Identify the “exemplary” and “cautionary” tales.
- Actionable Step: Mentally categorize each poet’s biography as either a positive example of Johnson’s ideals (rare) or a negative example of what to avoid in life and art.
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Treating all poets with the same level of critical engagement, rather than recognizing Johnson’s tiered approach based on his personal hierarchy.
- Tip: Recognize the influence of Johnson’s own life and struggles.
- Actionable Step: Consider how Johnson’s own battles with melancholy, his dependence on patronage, and his conservative social views might inform his critiques of poets like Swift or Cowley.
- Common Mistake to Avoid: Assuming Johnson is an impartial observer, detached from his own experiences and biases.
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A Table of Johnson’s Critical Engagements
| Poet | Johnson’s Primary Praise | Johnson’s Primary Criticism | Notable Biographical Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Milton | Eloquence, grandeur of thought | Political extremism, perceived atheism, “frigid” intellect | Puritanism, political allegiances, marital issues |
| Alexander Pope | Wit, elegance, mastery of heroic couplet, social satire | Physical frailty, vanity, sometimes sharp temper | His stature, religious background, relationships |
| Thomas Gray | Lyrical beauty, careful diction | Lack of “universality,” excessive melancholy, obscurity | Solitary habits, intellectual pursuits, perceived sadness |
| Abraham Cowley | Ingenuity, wit, prolific output | “Conceits,” excessive learning, moral laxity | His monastic retreat, intellectual pursuits |
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FAQ
- Q: Is The Lives of The Poets a good starting point for learning about these poets?
A: It can be, but with significant caveats. It provides a foundational, albeit biased, 18th-century perspective. For a balanced understanding, it should be supplemented with modern critical works.
- Q: Why does Johnson seem so harsh on some poets?
A: Johnson believed poetry should be didactic and morally instructive. Poets whose lives or works he perceived as deviating from reason, virtue, or good sense were subject to severe criticism.
- Q: Does The Lives of The Poets cover all major English poets?
A: No, Johnson’s selection was not exhaustive. It focuses on poets he deemed significant enough to warrant inclusion within his specific critical framework, largely from the preceding century.
- Q: How influential was The Lives of The Poets?
A: Immensely. It established a model for literary biography for generations, shaping how poets were understood and critiqued, even as its specific judgments were later challenged.