...among them fuch vanity as pleafes itfelf with falfe praife beftowed on another, and fuch fuperftition as worfhips idols, without fuppofing them to be Gods....part of the reputation of this mighty genius depends upoa the naked plot or ftory of his plays. He lived in an age when the books of chivalry were yet popular,...

...among them fuch vanity as pleafes itfelf with faife praife beftowed on another, and fuch fuperftition as worfhips idols, without fuppofing them to be Gods. But the truth is, that a very finall part of the reputation of this mighty genius depends upon the naked plot or (lory of his plays....

...superstition us worship idols, without supposing them to be gods. But the truth is, that a very small part of the reputation of this mighty genius depends...lived in an age when the books of chivalry were yet poprtar, and when therefore the minds of his auditors were not accustomed to balance probabilities,...

...without supposing them to be gods. But the truth is, that a very small part of the reputation ofjhis mighty genius depends upon the naked plot or story of his plays. He lived iu an age, when the books of chivalry were yet popular, and when, therefore, the minds of his auditors...

...equally insignificant to a true understanding of Shakespeare's genius. "The truth is, a very small part of the reputation of this mighty genius depends upon the naked plot or story of his plays"; hence "it is not perhaps very necessary to inquire whether the vehicle of so much delight and instruction...