PREFACE

It is hoped that the present selection of critical essays will be found comprehensive enough to enable the reader to follow the main movements and counter-movements of English critical thought from the Renaissance to the Revival of Romanticism. Except in the few cases indicated, the texts have been given in full. But in order to avoid placing unnecessary difficulties in the way of readers unfamiliar with early English spelling and punctuation, the practice of modern editors of Shakespeare has been followed the spelling has been modernized throughout, and the punctuation brought into closer conformity with modern usage.

E. D. J.