The Critics Versus Shakspere A Brief for the Defendant

"The Critics Versus Shakspere" by Francis Asbury Smith is a defense of William Shakespeare's literary reputation. The author confronts critics who challenged Shakespeare’s originality, claiming he merely copied from other writers of his time. Smith employs historical and critical analysis to show Shakespeare’s unique place in English literature. By referencing past critics like Ben Jonson and Voltaire, Smith addresses the historical debate about Shakespeare's place in literature. He considers the accusations against the bard, such as claims that his plays were worse than those of his contemporaries, and that he wasn't original. Smith disputes the claim that many tried to damage Shakespeare's reputation, but the greater literary world still believed in Shakespeare's genius because his works were both popular and admired by scholars and writers for years to come.