John Dryden's dramatic poesy

               Assignment

                 Paper : 3

  Literary theory and Criticism 

Name :  Ravina Parmar

Roll no : 27

SEM : M.A. sem- 1

Batch year : (2019-2021)

Email : ravinaparmar827@gmail.com

Enrollment no : 2069108420200031

Submitted to : Smt. S. B. Gardi English Department Bhavnagar

Topic : Essay on Dramatic poesy by John Dryden.

Preface :

That is the first work of literary criticism in english language.  

 In the " Dramatic poesy" Dryden defend the classical drama standing on line of Aristotle saying on human nature clearly. He also discussed about the three unities. This essay Dramatic poesy is written in a dialogue form. In which are find that four characters that is Eugenius, Neander, Crites and Lisideius. In which we find that the character of Neander is the masterpiece for his own view about drama. This essay showed a neoclassical attitude towards dramatic art and also in his defence of the use of rhyme and his argument concerning Aristotelian prescripts of drama. In this essay we find that Dryden's comparative criticism of Shakespeare, Ben Johnson, Beaumont and Fletcher. In at the end of the end of the essay the discussion turns on rhyme and blank verse and crites attach rhyme violently that all the thing described here.

About Author : John Dryden (1631-1700) :

Dryden is the greatest literary figure of the Restoration. He was the well known writer of the age. Who was the first poet laureate in 1668. In his poetry we find that the subject matter was often factual and aimed at expressing his thoughts in the most precise. He used heroic Couplet and establish the standard of English poetry. Samuel Johnson called him father of English criticism. He has written many poems and the critical work also.  His critical essays are :

" Of Heroic plays"

" Discourse on Satire"

"Essay on Dramatic poesy"

This best known of these criticisms are the fables and this attempts to lay a foundation for all literary criticism.

Definition of the play :

John Dryden who gives a new definition of the play. This definition through he was make his argument and make a statement.

"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".

Here Dryden who mentioned in his definition that the word is just and Lively image. If it is Just image is ok but the lively image is more appropriate because the 'just' imageis a very drab kind of  image so in that way the word ' lively' is more important. This kind of image of human nature is showed passion and humour. And the end of the definition we find that the delight and instruction of mankind.

Dryden's view about three unity :

This  three unities are

 Unity of time 

Unity of action

Unity of place

The English writer who not followed this three unity by classical rules. That's why Dryden defence the english writer. French who followed this three unities. Dryden make a satire on him. French play may be more regular than the english but that not so lively  and pleasant and delightful as that the english play. Like that Shakespeare's play us showed as just and lively image of human nature.

One of the english author who followed the classical rules in his writing that is Ben Johnson . He has followed classical rules in his work  The Silent Woman shows a great skill apart from french writer. That through we can say that all upon writers own 'genius' and 'skill'.  According to Dryden introducing 'subplot' for variety, richness and liveliness to the play. This way write a work and express a more 'just' and 'lively' picture than the French their narrow and cramped play.

Dryden’s view of the unities amounts to this the rules and regulations  of Aristotle are not good at all and absolute; there is always an appeal open from rules to nature. If the ends of any drama or literary works vare better fulfilled by a violation of the unities, then there is no harm and problem in that.  The great English writer Shakespeare has produced more ‘just’ and ‘lively’ plays, even though he has utterly disregarded the unities. 

Dryden defends the english tragic comedy :

According to the classical rules tragedy should be only tragedy not mingling the comic elements. That is also for comedy not mingled tragic elements. But here we find that Dryden has liberal in his attitude towards the mingling of the tragic and the comic. In our real life we face both the elements with mingling. Then what is the problem with any work.

Four characters and his view :

The essay is structured as a dialogue among four friends on the river Thames. The four gentleman are:

1. Crites:(sir Robert Howar)
2. Lisideius:( sir Charles sadly)
3. Eugenius :( Charles Sackville)
4. Neander :(  thought to represent Dryden)

They began an ironic and Witty conversation and talk on the. Subject of poetry. That become a debate on the virtues of modern and ancient writers and discussing the value of the unities.

Eugenius :

Eugenius  " favors the modern "

 Eugenius give replies to crites and speak in favor of the moderns. The modern writer who added what they learn from ancient. They not followed as a blind person, if any thing is good then they take it.  In statement of eugenius we find that as far as the plot is fable of the ancient is concerned it lacks originality. In the play ancient don't know that the five act in play. In ancient play we find that in play chorus sang Amore than five times. so the number of acts in Greek play is uncertain.

Characterization we find that nature as character in ancient but that is only narrow and partial as if they imitated only an eye or a hand or proportion of the body. They are inferior to the moderns in all these respects.

 And also their observation of  these unities of Time, place and action is not perfect a way.

In ancient play too muchof narration at cost of action. The necessary information provided to the audience through dialogue , instead they do monologue. And then results the play became monotonous and tiresome. For example,  Terence in his ' EUNUCH' and 'Adelphi' is guilty if this Sin.

In his play we not find that Poetic justice  in their plays.The ancient's playdo not perform one of the function of drama , that of giving delight , nor that of giving instruction.

Eugenius mentioned  finally their themes are equally defective.  The proper end of the tregedy is to arouse, " admiration and concernment".

Neander :

" Favor the modern English  plays and the rhyme"

Neander  gives many points to illustrate modern English play is good one and superior than classical or french. In French play we find that plot is barren at other side the english play have more varied. In  French play only one action is going on that is the lack charm of variety. In english play we find that many sub-plot are carried forward along with the main action.

And other thing is there Dryden said that english playwright who not followed the unity of time, action and place that's why their copiousness and variety which is a source of great pleasure forthe audience.  In english playwright Shakespeare , Fletcher and Ben Johnson not followed that rules and regulations then also greater spirit in all the writing then there is in any of the french writer.

Crites :

" Favor ancient" 

Crites who speaks for defending for ancients. One of the argument is that the superiority of ancientis established by the very fact that the modern who simply imitate them. Ancient is the acknowledge models of the moderns. We know that every age has its own genius, it's own inclination for some particular branch of knowledge. So that's why  in modern time the knowledge about medicine, anatomy, astronomy. That is the reason there subject matter and all the thing is different one.

Ancient poetry was more honored and great than any other branch of knowledge. I modern poet we not find that  the spirit of healthy rivalry and competition. They criticizs and denounce other people , instead of themselves trying to better. Here we find that the few points about superiority of ancient.

Ancient who closely observed nature and faithfully represented their work. That's why ancient is superior.

Modern who followed the rules of Dramatic composition. Modern have devised no new rules nor ,in any way modifying or adding other rules.

Here Crites discuss about the three unities time, place and action. The modern who don't follow the rules of unities. That's why he called that is unnatural they can not   be called a 'just' and 'true' representation of nature.

Lisideius :

" Favor of french"

Let's see lisideius view point: the french writer who faithfully observed the rules of the ancients. The french  play also have bas much variety but they do not provide it in such ridiculous manner. When we look at Aristotle then according to him, the end of tregedy is arouse admiration and compassion or concernment , but mirth and compassion are the very opposite of each other. The english are guilty of this folly, while french are not. This type of many more arguments we find here.

To Conclude :

Thus, John Dryden who expresses his arguments and also give answer in the four Character though. This way he defending the English modern writer.