Comment upon Dryden’s definition of the play

Paper No:3 Literary Theory & CriticismPrepared by :Mehta kavita dineshbhaiSemester:1Roll No:18S.B Gardi Department of EnglishMaharaja Krishnkumarsihji Bhavangar Bhavangar.

Introduction

John Dryden (9 August 1631- 1 May 1700) was a prominent english poet,critic,translator,and playwright.

He was a neo classical poet and his age come after the Elizabethan age.

Dryden was father of english literature.Who dominated the literary life of the Restoration

age. He was critic of contemporary reality.Dryden mature thought of literary criticism on

ancient ,modern and english literature ,especially on Drama are presented in dialogue from in “An Essay on Drametic Poesy”.

An Essay on Dramatic Poesy

John Dryden’s “An Essay on Drametic Poesy”presents a brief discussion on neo-classical theory of literature.

He defends the classical theory of drama saying that it is an imitation of life and reflects human nature clearly.

The Essay is also a contribution to two current controversies :

1. Regarding comparative superiority of ancient and the moderns.

2. The comparative merits and demerits of blank verse and rhyme for dramatic purpose.

Dryden definition of play

“A play ought to be a just and lively image of human nature, representing its passion and humours,and the change of fortune to which it is subject,for the delight and instruction of mankind”

This definition divided in to three part.First part just and lively image, just image very drab

kind of image.Just means as it is based on human nature.Representing and image word is borrow from

Aristotle.

In this definition dryden drametic poetry suggest that liveliness ,artificiality to be consider, and represanting of human nature.

You are broken unity you live life, these are three unity dryden presanting in his definition of play:

i. Unity of timeii. Unity of action iii. Unity of place Play are more life like english play, and

Dryden’s write for modern english play.

Two word very important in this definition ‘Delight’ and ‘Pleasure’.

We feel peach of mind in delight.Critics objects to rhyme in play: “Since no man without premeditation

speck in rhyme, neither ought he to do it on the stage”.

Thank you