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
Dryden defines Drama as:
“Just and lively image of human nature,
representing its passions and humours, and the
changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the
delight and instruction of mankind.”
According to the definition, drama is an ‘image’ of ‘human nature’, and the image is ‘just’ and ‘lively’. By using the word ‘just’ Dryden seems to imply that literature imitates (and not merely reproduces) human actions. For Dryden, ‘poetic imitation’ is different from an exact, servile copy of reality, for, the imitation is not only ‘just’, it is also ‘lively’.
When the group talks about the definition of Drama Lisidieus expresses his views about Drama as “a just and lively Image of Humane Nature.” And then each character expresses his views about Drama and they compare French Drama and English Drama and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of French and English Drama. The debate goes on about the comparison between ancient writers and modern writers. They also discuss the importance of “Unity in French Drama”. So far as the Unities of Time, Place and Action are concerned French Drama was closer to the classical notions of Drama. With the influence of Platonic Dialogues Dryden had designed the group that further discusses the Playwrights such as Ben Jonson, Molière, and Shakespeare with a deeper insight. Crites offers an objection specifically to the use of rhyme as he privileges the verisimilitude of the scene while citing Aristotle. On the other hand, Neander favours the natural rhyme since that, according to him, adds artistry to the plays. It was Twilight when the four friends had their final speech at the Somerset-Stairs and then the four friends parted along their separate ways.
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