Tolstoy on Shakespeare

Tolstoy does not like Shakespeare. Not at all. In this classic rant, Tolstoy takes Shakespeare to task for having ridiculous plots, characters without distinct personalities, endless speechifying, language no mortal would utter, no morals, a disdain for the common person, and zero sympathy for the audience.

by Leo Tolstoy. Translated by V. G. Tchertkoff and I. F. M.
Followed by Shakespeare's attitude to the working classes, by Ernest Crosby, and a letter from George Bernard Shaw.