M. K. Bhavnagar University

Dryden’s comparative comments on

French & English Dramas

Paper : Literary Theory & Criticism

Presented by: Jadeja Poojaba G. Roll no.: 25 Year: 2013, semester -1

On French & English Dramas

Dryden’s comparative comments

General Introduction

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

Lisideius favours French Plays,

Neander proves English plays superior with giving powerful arguments.

French Dramas

Lisideius’ viewsFollowing all the rulesUnities of time, place, actionWell-known storiesPoetic justice

Purity of actionSingle plotCharactersNarration Rhymes

Opposite Characteristics of English dramas

Rejected rulesNo unitiesThe story as it isNo poetic justiceMixture of Tragedy & ComedySub – plotsMany charactersPerformance of every scene

Neander’s defence on English dramas

Opposite to French playsBreaking the rulesSub plots more entertaining

Relief from heavy tragedy Suspension of disbelief “lively imitation of nature”

French dramas

English dramas

Thankyou