Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher

"Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher" by Samuel Taylor Coleridge is a study of famous playwrights that analyzes their plays through detailed notes. Coleridge looks closely at drama, the poetic parts, and how the characters are made, especially in Shakespeare's plays. He also thinks about poetry and drama and why these writers are important to how writing changed over time. The opening explains what poetry is and how it's different from science and regular writing. It also talks about how Greek plays changed into Shakespeare's more complicated plays. He talks about the mix of sad and funny parts and how important it is for the audience to be involved. This all prepares the reader to learn more about the plays of Shakespeare and others from his time.