Who said “The characteristic of Chaucer is intensity; of Spenser, remoteness; of Milton,…”?

Verified

William Hazlitt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLecture III, "On Shakespeare and Milton"

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For academic work, cite the original where you can: Lecture III, "On Shakespeare and Milton".

APA

Hazlitt, W. (n.d.). The characteristic of Chaucer is intensity; of Spenser, remoteness; of Milton, elevation; of Shakespeare, every thing. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42898-the-characteristic-of-chaucer-is-intensity-of-spenser/

MLA

Hazlitt, William. “The characteristic of Chaucer is intensity; of Spenser, remoteness; of Milton, elevation; of Shakespeare, every thing.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42898-the-characteristic-of-chaucer-is-intensity-of-spenser/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Hazlitt, William. “The characteristic of Chaucer is intensity; of Spenser, remoteness; of Milton, elevation; of Shakespeare, every thing.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/42898-the-characteristic-of-chaucer-is-intensity-of-spenser/.

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