Dryden's Essay on Dramatic Poesy.

 Discuss any differences you observe between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play

      

Life of John Dryden :

 

            Few writers are lucky and talented enough to have a large and lasting influence in one genre, let alone multiple genres. John Dryden, however, remains a crucial figure in the poetry, plays, and criticism that were written during the last half of the 17th century.

        Dryden, who lived from 1631 to 1700, was born in a time when there was much political and religious turmoil in England. The disagreements between those who supported the traditional monarchical English form of government and those who desired a more republican form of government resulted in a series of violent events. These events include the English Civil War, which lasted from 1642 to 1651, and the ruling of England by various republican governments from 1649 to 1660.

        The traditional English monarchy was restored, however, when Charles II became king in 1660. Charles ruled until he died in 1685, and his brother, James II, ruled as king until he was removed from the throne in 1688. This period from 1660 to around 1689 is called the Restoration period of literature. During the Restoration period, many writers and readers looked to Dryden as a defining voice of literature.

         Restoration writers were strongly influenced by the Enlightenment, a period of scientific and philosophical revolution that lasted from the mid-17th century until the end of the 18th century. Writers during this time emphasized the potential of logic and reason and believed that individual experience was more insightful than tradition. The Enlightenment saw the birth of modern science and many of the assumptions that are still central to contemporary society. Of all of the artists writing during the Restoration period, few had as significant and as lasting an impact on literature as Dryden did.

      John Dryden as a Literary Critic : 

         John Dryden, renowned as a poet and playwright, made significant contributions as a literary critic. His critical insights and writings played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of English literary criticism during the 17th century. Dryden's critical works, such as "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" (1668) and "Of Dramatick Poesie, an Essay" (1667), showcased his deep understanding of literature and his ability to analyze and evaluate various aspects of dramatic and poetic works. As a literary critic, Dryden advocated for the use of reason and neoclassical ideals in literature. He emphasized the importance of adhering to classical models, such as those of ancient Greek and Roman literature, and believed that reason should govern artistic expression. Dryden's critical writings also addressed important themes such as the role of imagination, the nature of wit, and the purpose of literature.

         He analyzed the traits of English and ancient Greek drama and established literary criticism as a systematic study. 

        Dryden also introduced the concepts of considering the social, cultural and historical context of literary works. He believed that literature should be analyzed by taking into account the time period and society in which it was produced. 

       Through his critical prefaces and comments, Dryden practiced descriptive criticism by closely analyzing various literary works of his time. He made pioneering contributions to the comparative analysis of different literatures. 

        Dryden was also influenced by the theories of Aristotle, French critics as well as modern critics like Longinus, but he refused to strictly adhere to rules and gave importance to personal judgment. His brand of liberal classicism had a significant influence on the emergence of modern English literary criticism.

        His critical essays exhibited a keen sense of observation, eloquent prose, and a mastery of rhetorical techniques. 

       Dryden's works not only provided insightful analyses of specific literary works but also contributed to the development of critical terminology and concepts that continue to be influential in the field of literary criticism. His writings continue to be studied and referenced in academia today.

     Dryden's Essay on Dramatic Poesy :  

    Poems & Poets

         Introduction:

         Though he died in 1700, John Dryden is usually considered a writer of the 18th rather than the 17th century. Incredibly prolific, Dryden made innovative advances in translation and aesthetic philosophy, and was the first poet to employ the neo-classical heroic couplet and quatrain in his own work. Dryden’s influence on later writers was immense; Alexander Pope greatly admired and often imitated him, and Samuel Johnson considered him to have “refined the language, improved the sentiments, and tuned the numbers of English poetry.” In addition to poetry, Dryden wrote many essays, prefaces, satires, translations, biographies (introducing the word to the English language), and plays. “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy” was probably written in 1666 during the closure of the London theaters due to plague. It can be read as a general defense of drama as a legitimate art form—taking up where Sir Philip Sidney’s “Defence of Poesie” left off—as well as Dryden’s own defense of his literary practices. The essay is structured as a dialogue among four friends on the river Thames. The group has taken refuge on a barge during a naval battle between the English and the Dutch fleets. The four gentlemen, Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius, and Neander (all aliases for actual Restoration critics and the last for Dryden himself), begin an ironic and witty conversation on the subject of poetry, which soon turns into a debate on the virtues of modern and ancient writers. While imitation of classical writers was common practice in Dryden’s time, he steers the group’s conversation towards dramatic poetry, a relatively new genre which had in some ways broken with classical traditions and was thus in need of its own apologia. The group arrives at a definition of drama: Lisideius suggests that it is “a just and lively Image of Humane Nature.” Each character then speaks in turn, touching on the merits of French and English drama, continuing the debate over ancient versus modern writers, and discussing the value of the “Unities” or rules of French drama. While French plays hew closer to classical notions of drama (adhering to the unities of time, place and action), Neander steps in to support English drama precisely because of its subplots, mixture of mirth and tragedy (in tragicomedy), and spirited, multiple characters. Drawing on Platonic dialogues for inspiration, Dryden’s characters present their opinions with eloquence and sound reasoning. The group discusses playwrights such as Ben Jonson, Molière, and Shakespeare with great insight, and has a final debate over the suitability of rhyme to drama. Crites objects to the use of rhyme because he believes it detracts from the verisimilitude of the scene, and cites Aristotle; Neander suggests a “natural” rhyme to serve the play’s meaning can add to its artistry. During this final speech, the barge docks at the Somerset-Stairs, and the four friends go their separate ways, content with their evening.  

       Definition of Tragedy and play by Aristotle and Dryden: 

   Definition of Tragedy  : 

    

          " A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and asko , as having magnitude, complete in itself, in appropriate and pleasurable language....in dramatic rather than narrative from with incidents arousing pity and fear , wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions. " 

         Definition of Play:

         "just and lively image of human nature", accurately representing human passions and behaviors" 

        Definition of Tragedy is giving by Aristotle: 

    “Tragedy,” says Aristotle, “is an imitation [mimēsis] of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude…through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation [catharsis] of these emotions.” Ambiguous means may be employed, Aristotle maintains in contrast to Plato, to a virtuous and purifying end. 

      

          Aristotle's elements of tragedy:

1.  Plot
2. Character 
3. Thought 
4. Diction 
5. Melody
6. Spectacle 

     

       Definition of Play is giving by Dryden :

We can bring out this opposition if we revise the definition once. again to read: "a play ought to be a just and lively imaging of human. nature, representing its passions and humours and the changes of. fortune to which it is subject for the delight and instruction of man. 

     This definition devided into three part : 

1.  Just and lively image 
2. Just means as it's based on human nature.
3. Representing and image word os borrow from. Aristotle. 

  Different between definition  : 

        - Dryden has explained that emotions or character is expressed through action.  The phrase ' change of fortune ' refers the plot.

       - Aristotle explain drama as an imitation of an action. In his theory human passion or charater is the bakround.