John Dryden Flashcards
literary criticism work
essay on dramatic poesy
with the restoration of the dead king’s son, Charles II, to the throne in 1660, Dryden switched sides, celebrating the new monarchy in his poem ________________.
Astrea Redux (Justice Restored)
Dryden’s Essay of Dramatic Poesy is written as a debate on drama conducted by four speakers,
Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius, and Neander.
Eugenius , a patron of Dryden and a poet himself. ,
(meaning “well-born”) may be Charles Sackville, who was Lord Buckhurst
Crites (Greek for “judge” or “critic”)
perhaps represents Sir Robert Howard, Dryden’s brother-in-law
Lisideius
refers to Sir Charles Sedley
Neander (“new man”)
is Dryden himself.
The Essay, as Dryden himself was to point out in a later defense of it, was occasioned by a public dispute with
Sir Robert Howard (Crites) over the use of rhyme in drama.
In a note to the reader prefacing the Essay, he suggests that the chief purpose of his text is
“to vindicate the honour of our English writers, from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French”
Crites objects to rhyme in plays by saying
“since no man without premeditation speaks in rhyme, neither ought he to do it on the stage
Neander in favour of rhymes
depends how close to nature they are
Neander in favor of rhymes
depends how close to nature they are
Eugenes support
moderns
Crites support
ancients and says ben jonson like poets learnt from them
Lisideus
french drama better than english drama
as french use classical separation between comedy and tragedy
