ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an essay on the writings and Genius of Shakespeare, compared with the Greek and French dramatic poets. It is a more regular drama than his other historical plays, less charged with absurdities, and less involved in confusion. It is indeed liable to those objections which are made to tragicomedy. But if the pedantry of learning could ever recede from its dogmatical rules this play, instead of being condemned for being of that species, would obtain favor for the species itself, though perhaps correct taste may be offended with the transitions from grave and important to light and ludicrous subjects, and more still with those from great and illustrious, to low and mean persons. Foreigners unused to these compositions will be much disgusted at them. It was a delicate affair to expose the follies of Henry V before a people proud of his victories and tender of his fame.
