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What are the main points of his essay dramatic poesy?

What are the main points of his essay dramatic poesy?

An Essay of Dramatic Poesy deals with the views of major critics and the tastes of men and women of the time of Dryden. The work is in the form of semi-drama thus making abstract theories interesting. In the late 17th century, Shakespeare was severely criticised for his careless attitude towards the mixing of genres.

What did Dryden aim at in his essay of dramatic poesy?

Essay of Dramatic Poesie is a work by John Dryden, England’s first Poet Laureate, in which Dryden attempts to justify drama as a legitimate form of “poetry” comparable to the epic, as well as defend English drama against that of the ancients and the French.

Who represents Dryden in essay of dramatic poesy?

The three “persons of Wit and Quality” are Sir Robert Howard (Crites), Charles Sackville, Lord Buckhurst (Eugenius), and Sir Charles Sedley (Lisideius), while the fourth character, Neander, has been identified as Dryden himself.

How does Dryden define drama in dramatic poesy?

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.

What does the title an essay of dramatic poesy mean?

Essay of Dramatic Poesie is a work by John Dryden, England’s first Poet Laureate, in which Dryden attempts to justify drama as a legitimate form of “poetry” comparable to the epic, as well as defend English drama against that of the ancients and the French.

What is the name of Dryden in dramatic poesy?

During this final speech, the barge docks at the Somerset-Stairs, and the four friends go their separate ways, content with their evening. Text and notes, unless otherwise indicated, are adapted from Essays of John Dryden, ed.

What does the title An Essay of Dramatic Poesy mean?

What is the background of the essay on dramatic poesy?

“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.

Who gave the definition of drama in essay of dramatic poesy?

In his “Essay on Dramatic Poesy”, John Dryden gives us a workable definition of a play, before debating upon the conflicting issues the four friends feel the necessity of definition of drama.

What according to Dryden is the function of poetry?

Function of poetry The final end of poetry, according to Dryden is delight and transport rather than instruction. To realize it, it does not merely imitate life, but offers its own of it – ‘a beautiful resemblance of the whole’.

How is an essay of dramatic poesy written?

An Essay on Dramatic Poesy is written in the form of a dialogue among four gentlemen: Eugenius, Crites, Lisideius and Neander. Neander speaks for Dryden himself. Eugenius favours modern English dramatists by attacking the classical playwrights, who did not themselves always observe the unity of place.

Who first invented dramatic poesy?

In 1668 Dryden published Of Dramatick Poesie, an Essay, a leisurely discussion between four contemporary writers of whom Dryden (as Neander) is one.

What did John Dryden mean by an essay of Dramatic Poesy?

An Essay of Dramatic Poesy gives an explicit account of neo-classical theory of art in general. Dryden is a neoclassic critic, and as such he deals in his criticism with issues of form and morality in drama.

Who are the debaters in an essay of Dramatic Poesy?

It was Dryden who elevated Shakespeare to height for his natural genius. The narrative of An Essay of Dramatic Poesy has four debaters among whom, Neander is the one who holds the views of Dryden. Unlike other characters, Neander does not diminish the arguments that are on contrary to his views.

Which is the only formal work of criticism by Dryden?

The only formal and complete work of criticism by Dryden is the “Essay of Dramatic Poesy”. Here we discussed Dryden’s theory of criticism in “An Essay of Dramatic Poesy” (1668). Keywords: Criticism, theory, dramatic poesy, Dryden 1. Introduction John Dryden was born on 9th August, 1631, at Aldwincle in Northamptonshire.

What was the view of poetry in Dryden’s day?

The generally accepted view of poetry in Dryden’s day was that it had to be a close imitation of facts past or present. While Dryden has no problem with the prevalent neo-classical bias in favour of verisimilitude (likeness/fidelity to reality) he would also allow in more liberties and flexibilities for poetry.