How does Ben Johnson assess Shakespeare in his poem William Shakespeare?

Answer 1

Jonson did not actually name his commendatory verses in the First Folio "William Shakespeare", but they are about Shakespeare. Many of the things he says in the verses are well-known and oft-quoted, most usually "he was not of an age but for all time."

Answer 2

Ben Johnson praises Shakespeare in his poem by calling him the "Soul of the Age" and the writer who had a natural gift for writing. Johnson also admires Shakespeare's ability to capture human emotions and experiences in his works, acknowledging his lasting impact on literature and culture.