Tolstoy completely despises Shakespeare because he does not respect the religious and moral imperatives that he feels should be expressed in literature. Seems idealistic and old fashioned to me... He also has issue w WS updating old stories and creating a more accessible product for the popular audience of the time. He feels a great disservice was done to the story of King Lear. Critical of German authors, who are slightly better than French authors. Never read any Goethe, so don't have an opinion. Tolstoy seems intolerant of everyone....

Additionally, there are two other essays in my copy of this essay which was downloaded off Guttenberg. One by Ernest Crosby, which contains a wealth of quotes regarding the minor characters in WS novels, w extensive quotes. The Shaw letter is only a couple pages, well written, but just some general commentary about how he agrees w Tolstoy. ( )