• ISBN13: 9788126906918
• Binding: Paperback
• Subject: English Literature
• Publisher: Atlantic Publishers & Distributors (P) Ltd
• Publisher Imprint:
• Publication Date: May 25, 2021
• Pages: 172
• Original Price: 275.0 INR
• Language: English
• Edition: N/A
• Item Weight: 200 grams

Dryden’s main contribution to literary criticism is represented by An Essay of Dramatic Poesy in which in the form of a lively dialogue his views on drama are propounded. In this landmark of English Criticism, Dryden examines five important issues : the relative merits of ancient and modern poets, the French versus the English school of drama, the Elizabethan dramatists versus those of Dryden’s own time, conformation to the dramatic rules laid down by the ancients and the question of substituting rhyme for blank verse.
Considering the fact that Dryden had no settled body of English criticism to bank upon, his theorising on the form of drama is a distinguished achievement and many of the issues raised by him can by no means be treated as finally decided. Dryden’s special advantages were “a strong, clear, common-sense judgement and a very remarkable faculty of arguing the point”. Add to this his intimate knowledge of both ancient and modern playwrights, including the French masters, and his personal initial experiments in writing plays.
Thomas Arnold’s explanatory Notes make this volume all the more valuable to the scholars and students of Dryden as a critic. William T. Arnold in his revision of the third edition, made the Notes fuller and more helpful by, among other things, adding quotations from Corneille.

John Dryden, born in 1631, was an eminent English poet, dramatist and critic of the Restoration period. By family background and personal sympathies, he was on the Puritan, anti-monarchical side. He received his classical education at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge. Thereafter he moved to London in 1657 where he commenced his career as a professional writer. As a playwright he earned great reputation. He became the Poet Laureate of England in 1688 but owing to his religious differences he was stripped of the Laureateship and also other royal appointments. In fact, Dryden adhered to the principle of the golden mean—he did not believe in extremism of any kind.
Dryden is well known for his heroic tragedy, criticisms and poems. He solidified his reputation as the leading writer of the day with such masterpieces as Absalom and Achitophel. Apart from An Essay of Dramatic Poesy, his other brilliant works include: The Conquest of Granada, Marriage à la Mode, Aureng-Zebe, The Medal and Mac Flecknoe. Died in 1700 and buried in Westminster Abbey, John Dryden remains one of the most important literary figures of English literature.