Bridge Course : John Dryden : Essay On Dramatic Poesie :

I’m khushi parmar, a postgraduate student at the department of English mkbu.This blog has been prepared as part of an academic task given by the Head of the Department of English (MKBU), Professor Dr. Dilip Barad Sir.

Introduction:

John Dryden (1631–1700) is often regarded as one of the most important literary figures of the Restoration period and is frequently referred to as the “father of English criticism” as well as the first official Poet Laureate of England. He was a poet, playwright, translator, and critic whose works shaped the literary taste of late 17th-century England.

Born on 9 August 1631 in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, Dryden was educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he gained a solid grounding in the classics, which later influenced his literary and critical writings. His career flourished during the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, a time when English theatre reopened after being banned during the Puritan rule.

John dryden 

John dryden as a poet, critic and translator...

John Dryden (1631–1700) was the dominant literary figure of the Restoration period, celebrated as a poet, critic, and translator. As a poet, he perfected the heroic couplet and gave English verse clarity, balance, and elegance, seen in works like Annus Mirabilis and his famous odes such as Alexander’s Feast. As a critic, he is called the father of English literary criticism, with An Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1668) marking a milestone in English critical thought. Here, he evaluated the ancients, moderns, French, and English dramatists with remarkable fairness. As a translator, Dryden rendered Virgil, Ovid, and Juvenal into vigorous and polished English, blending fidelity with creativity. Together, these roles establish him as the true spokesman of the Restoration Age.

John Dryden’s An Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1668) belongs to the Restoration era, a period when English drama was being revived after its suppression during the Puritan rule. Dryden wrote this work in the context of the Anglo-Dutch War and the Great Plague of London, which also provide the background for the essay’s setting. Rather than laying out his critical ideas in a plain, argumentative style, Dryden frames them in the form of a lively dialogue. Four fictional speakers—Crites, Eugenius, Lisideius, and Neander—engage in a discussion while taking a boat trip on the River Thames. Each represents a different critical stance: Crites upholds the value of the classical writers, Eugenius highlights the superiority of the moderns, Lisideius gives preference to French dramatists, and Neander—who voices Dryden’s own outlook—defends the merits of English drama. By adopting this conversational method, Dryden is able to explore varied opinions and present a well-rounded, dynamic debate.

Video 1: dryden the father of English criticism , a neoclassical critic and definition of play...

The video explains why John Dryden is called the Father of English Criticism. It talks about his role as a neo-classical critic, meaning he followed classical rules of literature (inspired by Greek and Roman writers) but also adapted them to suit English drama. It also mentions Dryden’s ideas about what a play should be.

It highlights An Essay of Dramatic Poesy, where Dryden uses four characters (Crites, Eugenius, Lisideius, and Neander) to discuss ancient, modern, French, and English drama.

Video 2: The Debate on Rhyme and Blank Verse in  Plays

In Dryden’s Essay of Dramatic Poesy, four characters—Crites, Eugenius, Lisideius, and Neander—take part in a debate about drama. They discuss whether ancient plays or modern ones are better, whether French drama or English drama is superior, and whether plays should be written in rhyme or blank verse. In the end, Neander, who speaks for Dryden, defends English drama. He says that while classical rules are useful, English plays are richer and more lively because they allow more freedom and creativity.

When discussing drama, Dryden brings up Aristotle to point out that rhyme like lines that end in matching sounds can make dialogue feel forced. Aristotle preferred blank verse—poetry without rhyming—which feels more natural and believable when characters speak.

Video 3: Dryden's definition of play 

In this video, we see that in An Essay of Dramatic Poesy, John Dryden gives a definition of a play that combines art with moral purpose. He calls a play a “just and lively image of human nature.” The video explains these words in detail. By “just,” Dryden means that a play should show life in a natural and truthful way, without too much exaggeration. It should feel real, like the true emotions and situations people go through. By “lively,” he means that a play should not only be accurate but also full of energy and interest. A lively play should touch the audience, keep their attention, and bring life to the picture of reality it shows.

Video 4 :Comparative Criticism of Ancients, Moderns, and French Playwrights

The video also talks about how French drama influenced Restoration theatre. French plays were admired for their beauty and strict following of classical rules, and many English critics liked them. Dryden also respected the order and polish of French drama, but he did not think they should replace the richness and variety of English plays. The video explains that this debate was not only about literature—it also reflected the politics and culture of 17th-century England, where people were concerned about national identity and pride. Dryden’s comparison of French and English drama is therefore more than a study of style; it is his way of saying that English theatre should respect tradition but also stay true to its own unique character.

Video 5: Discuss on rhyme vs blank verse in serious drama 

The video also shows an interesting change in Dryden’s career. In the essay, his character Neander supports writing plays in rhyme. But later, Dryden wrote his famous tragedy All for Love completely in blank verse (unrhymed lines). This shows that Dryden’s views on drama were not unchanging. With time, he may have felt that blank verse, with its natural flow and deeper emotional power, was better for serious stories full of strong feelings. So, the debate is not just about writing style—it also shows how a writer’s ideas can grow and change through experience.

Video 6 :Crites & neander about the use of Rhymed verse

This video highlights the debate between Neander and Crites in Dryden’s An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. Neander strongly favors using rhyme in serious plays. He feels that rhyme gives drama a sense of dignity, smooth rhythm, and a musical touch that makes it more enjoyable. For him, rhyme is not just decoration—it lifts the tone of tragedy and makes its emotions more powerful. He believes that when rhyme is skillfully written, it increases the beauty of the play and helps the audience feel a deeper emotional connection with it.

Conclusion:

John Dryden (1631–1700) stands as one of the most important figures in English literature. As a poet, he perfected the heroic couplet and gave English verse clarity and power. As a critic, he laid the foundation of modern English criticism through works like An Essay of Dramatic Poesy, earning the title “Father of English Criticism.” As a translator, he brought classical works like Virgil’s Aeneid and Ovid’s Metamorphoses to English readers with elegance and energy. He was the true voice of the Restoration Age, balancing classical tradition with creative freedom. His influence shaped later writers like Alexander Pope, and his legacy remains central to English poetry and criticism. Dryden’s life and works show how literature can both honor tradition and adapt to new times.

Refrences:

Goggle 

Professor dilip barad's an essay of dramatic poesy..