2..0 Objectives
2..1 Introduction
2.1.1 Dryden as a Critic
Self-Check Questions for 2.1.1
2.1.2 Dryden on The Nature of Poetry
Self-Check Questions for 2.1.2
2.1.3 Dryden on The Function of Poetry
Self-Check Questions for 2.1.3
2..2 An Essay on Dramatic Poesy: An Introduction
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.1
2..2..2 Violation of the Three Unities
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.2
2.2.3 Eugenius Arguments on Superiority of Moderns over the Ancients
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.3
2.2..4 Crites’s Arguments in favour of the Ancients
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.4
2..2.5 Lisideius’s view in favour of Superiority of the French Drama over English Drama
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.5
2.2..6 Neander’s view in favour of Modern (English) Drama
Self-Check Questions for 2.2.6
2...3 The Ancients versus Modern Playwrights
2..4 Mixture of Tragedy and Comedy
2..5 Advocacy of writing plays in Rhymed Verse
(A) Bibliography
(B) Further Reading
John Dryden (9 August 1631 – 1 May 1700) was a prominent English poet, critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of the Restoration Age; therefore, the age is also known as the Age of Dryden. He was a Cambridge Scholar, literary genius and critic, and considering his extraordinary literary contribution he was credited with the honour of Poet Laureate of England in 1668.
He was a critic of contemporary reality. His critical observation of contemporary reality is reflected in MacFlecknoe(1682). Dryden’s mature thoughts of literary criticism on ancient, modern and English Literature, especially on Drama, are presented in dialogue forms in An Essay on Dramatic Poesy. In An Essay on Dramatic Poesy there are four speakers. Each one argues strongly as to which one is better, “Ancient or Modern, and French or English?”
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