Natural Genius

Introducing Shakespeare: A Graphic Guide - Nick Groom, Piero 2013

Natural Genius

Shakespeare was considered to be a natural, untutored genius, despite the evidence that he read extensively for each play, took pains over rewriting and revised the text in rehearsal - which is evident from comparing Quarto versions of plays with those printed in the Folio. Ben Jonson described Shakespeare as an unlearned but naturally gifted writer.

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ALTHOUGH IT IS CLEAR THAT HE KNEW TOO THAT SHAKESPEARE LABOURED OVER HIS LINES, POLISHING THEM. BUT LITERATURE IN OUR DAY WAS EXPECTED TO BE A LIVELY TURNING OF FAMILIAR MATERIAL, RATHER THAN SIMPLY ORIGINAL IDEAS.

Jonson praised Shakespeare for precisely this labour in his eulogy …

For though the Poets matter, Nature be,

His art doth giue the fashion. And, that he,

Who casts to write a liuing line, must sweat,

(such as thine are) and strike the second heat

Vpon the
Muses anuile: turne the same,

(And himselfe with it) that he thinkes to frame;

Or for the lawrell, he may gaine a scorne …

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FOR A GOOD POET’S MADE, AS WELL AS BORN. AND SUCH WERT THOU. WE CAN AGREE THAT SHAKESPEARE DID GIVE A “LIVELY TURN” TO FAMILIAR MATERIAL…