The Round Table

The Round Table consists of essays first published in The Examiner newspaper between 1814-1817, written primarily by William Hazlitt with contributions from Leigh Hunt. The collection features 40 essays on literature, art, theater, and contemporary cultural topics. Hazlitt's critiques focus on major literary figures like Shakespeare, Milton, and his contemporaries Wordsworth and Coleridge. Several pieces examine paintings and theatrical performances of the era, while others address social customs and political issues of Regency England. Through narrative essays and cultural commentary, Hazlitt establishes himself as a leading critic of the early 19th century. His direct, conversational writing style marks a departure from the more formal criticism of his time. The collection demonstrates Hazlitt's commitment to democratic principles and individual expression in art and society. His analysis of human nature and artistic merit continues to influence modern cultural criticism.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of William Hazlitt's overall work: Readers praise Hazlitt's clarity of expression and ability to blend personal experience with philosophical insight. Many note his accessible writing style makes complex ideas understandable. On Goodreads, readers highlight his sharp observations of human nature and politics that remain relevant today. Readers appreciate: - Direct, conversational tone - Depth of analysis in theater reviews - Personal reflections that connect to universal themes - Sharp political commentary - Vivid descriptions of contemporary figures Common criticisms: - Dense sentences require multiple readings - Some essays feel dated or too focused on specific historical context - Occasional repetition across collected works - Uneven quality across different essay collections Average ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (Table-Talk) Amazon: 4.3/5 (Selected Essays) "His passion comes through even centuries later," notes one Goodreads reviewer. Another writes: "Takes work to read but rewards the effort with timeless insights."

Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb These collected essays mirror Hazlitt's style through observations of London life and personal reflections in the Romantic period.

Selected Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson The essays examine literature, philosophy, and society through a perspective that combines scholarly analysis with personal insight.

The Common Reader by Virginia Woolf This collection presents critical literary analysis and cultural commentary in the tradition of Hazlitt's conversational yet intellectual style.

Selected Writings by Leigh Hunt Hunt's essays and criticism provide contemporary context to Hazlitt's work while exploring similar themes of literature, theater, and society.

Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold The work continues Hazlitt's tradition of cultural criticism through an examination of Victorian society and its relationship with literature and the arts.

🔹 William Hazlitt wrote "The Round Table" as a collaboration with Leigh Hunt, publishing the essays first in Hunt's newspaper "The Examiner" before collecting them into book form in 1817. 🔹 The title alludes to King Arthur's legendary Round Table, symbolizing equality among peers, as Hazlitt and Hunt wrote essays on equal footing about literature, art, and society. 🔹 Hazlitt's contributions to "The Round Table" helped establish him as one of the greatest literary critics of the Romantic era, particularly through his groundbreaking essays on Shakespeare. 🔹 The collection includes Hazlitt's famous essay "On the Past and Future," which explores how human beings are uniquely capable of experiencing both memory and anticipation - a revolutionary psychological insight for its time. 🔹 Despite being a masterful writer himself, Hazlitt lived in poverty for most of his life and died in a boarding house, with his last words reportedly being "Well, I've had a happy life."