In the introduction to the First Folio of Shakespeare's works, John Emings and Henri Condell noted the unity of Shakespeare's thoughts and writing, highlighting the seamlessness of his poetic expressions. They remarked on the impressive quality of his drafts, suggesting that they had few corrections or canceled lines, which speaks to his extraordinary skill and confidence as a playwright.

This assertion sparked a wry retort from fellow playwright Ben Jonson, who humorously speculated that Shakespeare might have indeed discarded numerous lines during his creative process. This exchange underscores not only the high regard in which Shakespeare's work was held but also the nature of artistic creation as one that can involve significant editing and refinement.