Dryden's Essay on Dramatic Poesy

 This blog is part of the thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir.

Q.2(A)  Do you any difference between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play ?

Ans. 

Yes, there are differences between Aristotle's definition of tragedy and Dryden's definition of a play.

Difference between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play :-

🔶 Aristotle's definition of Tragedy :-

🟣 Introduction :-

Certainly, Aristotle's definition of tragedy, as outlined in his work "Poetics," is a comprehensive and influential concept in the realm of dramatic literature. Here is a detailed explanation of Aristotle's definition of tragedy:

(1) Nature of the Genre:

Aristotle's definition pertains specifically to the genre of tragedy, which is a dramatic form of literature.

(2) Character Focus:

Aristotle places significant emphasis on the character of the tragic hero or heroine, who should be noble but possess a tragic flaw that leads to their downfall.

(3.) Catharsis:

Aristotle introduces the concept of catharsis, where the audience experiences a purging of emotions like pity and fear through witnessing the protagonist's suffering and ultimate fate.

(4.) Plot Structure:

Aristotle stresses the importance of a well-structured plot, with a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a sequence of events.

(5.) Unity:

Aristotle emphasizes unity in a tragedy, including unity of time, place, and action. The events occur within a single day, in a single location, and revolve around a central theme or plot.

🔶  Dryden's definition of Play :-

Certainly, John Dryden's definition of a play, as articulated in his essay "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy," encompasses several key elements:

(1.) Nature of the Genre:

Dryden's definition is broader and encompasses the entire dramatic genre, including both tragedy and comedy.

(2.) Character Focus:

While Dryden acknowledges that plays can represent human nature and its passions, he doesn't emphasize the tragic flaw of the characters as Aristotle does in tragedy.

(3.) Purpose:

Dryden highlights that plays serve the dual purpose of delight and instruction. They entertain and educate the audience.

(4.) Representation of Human Nature:

Dryden's definition focuses on plays as a mirror of human nature, portraying the full range of human emotions and behaviors.

(5.) Fortune's Changes:

Similar to Aristotle, Dryden acknowledges that plays can depict changes in fortune but doesn't emphasize this aspect as a defining feature.

🟣 Conclusion :-

the key differences between Aristotle's definition of tragedy and Dryden's definition of a play lie in their scope and focus. Aristotle's definition is specific to tragedy and places great emphasis on character development, catharsis, and the structure of the plot. Dryden's definition is broader, encompassing all forms of drama, and emphasizes the representation of human nature, entertainment, and education of the audience.

Q.2(E)  Any topic of you choice but pertaining to Dryden as 'Father of English Criticism'.

Ans.

John Dryden : ' Father of English Criticism

Certainly! John Dryden is often referred to as the "father of English criticism" due to his significant contributions to literary criticism in the late 17th century. His work, particularly "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy," played a pivotal role in shaping the principles of English literary criticism. Dryden's essay introduced the concept of the "ancients" versus the "moderns" in literature, where he defended the merits of both classical Greek and Roman literature (the ancients) and contemporary English literature (the moderns).

In this essay, Dryden also discussed various aspects of drama, such as the three unities (time, place, and action), which became essential elements of neoclassical drama. His emphasis on the importance of following classical models and adhering to decorum greatly influenced subsequent generations of writers and critics.

Dryden's role as a critic was instrumental in establishing a framework for evaluating literature, and his ideas continued to shape literary criticism throughout the 18th century and beyond, making him a key figure in the history of English literary criticism.