Why the Swan was Called a Crow

During his time, Shakespeare was described by two of his contemporaries in contrasting ways: Robert Greene called him a crow and Ben Johnson called him a swan. The crow is a bird with an unpleasant appearance while the swan personifies a perfect example of beauty. What made Greene and Johnson view Shakespeare so differently? How could he seem inelegant to Greene and graceful to Johnson? 

 

This distinction has nothing to do with Shakespeare’s artistic talent, which is undeniable. And since both Greene and Johnson were playwrights themselves, they certainly would have detected that quality in Shakespeare but the question that emerges is why one called him crow and the other swan? I thought and thought and came to the conclusion that it had to do with the artistic talents of Greene and Johnson.

 

Greene’s only claim to fame is his famous ‘crow’ comment about Shakespeare and but for that he would have been a completely forgotten man as none of his works could stand the test of time. Johnson on the other hand has left behind such an enduring body of plays that if Shakespeare would not have existed, he would have been the greatest dramatist of all time.

 

So it’s clear, the one who was a crow called Shakespeare a crow and the one who was a swan called Shakespeare a swan. 

-NZ
6.11.2019
BN: 180

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