Summary:
Samuel Johnson’s Prologue at the Opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane was written in 1747 to mark the reopening of the famous Drury Lane Theatre under actor and manager David Garrick. The poem acknowledges the changes in theater and reflects on the evolution of drama, emphasizing the contrast between the classical works of Shakespeare and the modern plays of Johnson’s time.
Johnson highlights the importance of moral instruction in drama, arguing that plays should entertain while also imparting wisdom and virtue. He laments the decline of true artistic excellence and the audience’s preference for spectacle over substance. Through grand and reflective language, he appeals to the audience to appreciate genuine talent and literary merit.
The poem serves both as an introduction to the new theatrical era under Garrick and as a critique of the shallow entertainment trends of the time. It underscores Johnson’s belief in the educational role of theater and the enduring legacy of great playwrights.
1. : Who wrote Prologue at the Opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane?
(A) William Shakespeare
(B) Samuel Johnson
(C) Alexander Pope
(D) John Dryden
2. : In which year was this prologue written?
(A) 1700
(B) 1747
(C) 1765
(D) 1780
3. : What event does the prologue commemorate?
(A) The birth of Shakespeare
(B) The closure of all theaters
(C) The reopening of Drury Lane Theatre
(D) The premiere of Hamlet
4. : Who was the manager of the Drury Lane Theatre at the time?
(A) Samuel Johnson
(B) David Garrick
(C) Richard Sheridan
(D) William Congreve
5. : What is a central theme of the poem?
(A) The importance of war
(B) The decline of literature
(C) The role of theater in moral instruction
(D) The superiority of comedy over tragedy
6. : Which literary figure does Johnson praise in the poem?
(A) John Milton
(B) William Shakespeare
(C) Geoffrey Chaucer
(D) Ben Jonson
7. : What concern does Johnson express about modern theater?
(A) The lack of talented actors
(B) The focus on spectacle rather than substance
(C) The overuse of tragic themes
(D) The disappearance of comedy
8. : How does Johnson view the role of the audience in theater?
(A) As passive spectators
(B) As critical judges of artistic quality
(C) As mere consumers of entertainment
(D) As disruptors of serious drama
9. : What does Johnson suggest should be the purpose of drama?
(A) To entertain and educate
(B) To make audiences laugh
(C) To depict real-life events
(D) To serve political purposes
10. : What is the tone of the poem?
(A) Humorous and lighthearted
(B) Reflective and instructive
(C) Melancholic and pessimistic
(D) Aggressive and critical