The Life of Samuel Johnson

During these years Johnson remains busy as a writer and attempts to procure a performance for Irene. He writes magazine essays, poetry (including “Friendship: An Ode”), and biography, including a life of the colorful and roguish poet Richard Savage, with whom Johnson lived for some time in London in poverty. In another section that shows Boswell taking pains to demonstrate his independence of mind and objective approach to his subject, Boswell comes close to condemning this period of Johnson’s life. Boswell implies that associating with the outlaw Savage introduced Johnson to the “dissipation and licentiousness” (119) of London’s underworld and for a time tempted him away from a virtuous lifestyle. This accusation is quite bold, given how little is known about Johnson’s relationship with Savage—Boswell’s characterization becomes the de facto truth about Johnson’s dissipations. 

In this same period, Johnson produces a monograph on Shakespeare’s Macbeth; Johnson will become particularly known for his critical observations on Shakespeare and will be considered one of the major Shakespearean commentators.

Boswell recounts an anecdote involving Johnson and two other major artistic figures of the day: the novelist Samuel Richardson and the artist William Hogarth. Richardson and Hogarth are talking politics in Richardson’s house when suddenly Johnson appears at the window “shaking his head, and rolling himself about in a strange ridiculous manner” (107). Hogarth, who does not know Johnson, at first assumes that he is a person with disabilities that Richardson is taking care of. However, Johnson then comes forward and joins the discussion, arguing with “power of eloquence” (107) the other (Tory) side of the debate. As depicted by Boswell, this incident shows that Johnson conceals a formidable personality and intellect behind an unprepossessing (and, for some, frightening) exterior. Boswell’s memorable anecdote dramatizes the effect Johnson had on those who came in contact with him, thus bringing him vividly to life for the reader.