Peerless in radiance, in joy.
Matthew Arnold (1822-1888). “Heine’s Grave.” New Poems, 1867, p. 198.
If Shakespeare did not know the ancients, I think they were at least as unlucky in not knowing him.
J. R. Lowell (1819-1891). Among my Books, 1870, p. 190.
Shakespeare recognised both our human imperfections and our human greatness. . . . A woman is dearer to Shakespeare than an angel; a man is better than a god.
Edward Dowden (b. 1843). Shakespeare: His Mind and Art, 1875, p. 346.
Shakespeare frequently has lines and passages in a strain quite false, and which are entirely unworthy of him. But one can imagine his smiling if one could meet him in the Elysian Fields and tell him so; smiling and replying that he knew it perfectly well himself, and what did it matter?