Topic : Dryden’s view on drama, rhyme v/s blank verse

Course : 3, literary Theory & CriticismPresented by : Nidhi R. JasaniEnrolment no: 14101018Roll no : 18Submitted to : M.K. Bhavnagar University Department of EnglishEmail :nidhijasani15@gmail.com

JOHN DRYDEN

*John Dryden(1631-1700) 17th century.

*English poet, Dramatist,Literary critic, Translator.

• In 1668 he wrote his most important prose work, ‘Of Dramatic poesy, an essay’.

• Dryden’s own defense of his literary practices.

• In which he present conversation between four gentlemen.

Eugenius Crites

Lisideius Neander

DEFINITION OF DRAM

“A just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors and the change of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind”

• By using the word ‘just’ Dryden seems to imply that literature imitates human action.

• It means dramatist use originality in their drama.

RHYME VERSE V/S BLANK VERSE

* Rhyme

Rhyme is not allowed in serious play.

• It is may be allowed in comedies.

• Is not shows originality in drama.

• Rhyme is justified by its universal use among all the civilized nation of world.

• Common man can not speak in rhyme.

BLANK VERSE

• Blank verse is also unnatural for no man speaks in verse either, but it is nearer to prose and Aristotle has laid down that tragedy should be written in a verse form which is nearer to prose.

• Drama is a ‘just, representation of Nature, and rhyme is unnatural.

• Every dramatist naturally expresses the lively image in drama through using blank verse.

•Thank you