Dryden's Essay of ' Dramatic poesy '
Dryden 's Essay Dramatic Poesy
John Dryden was an English Poet ,Dramatist and critic and leading literary figure of the Restoration age.in 1668,he wrote his most important prose work ,'' Of Dramatic Poesy" an essay ,the basis for his reputationas the Father of English Literary Criticism.in this essay he presented the conflict of four friends Eugenius,Crites ,Lisideius and Neander,debate of favours the ancients and moderns theater.
1) Do you any difference between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play?
There is a difference between definition of Aristotle and Dryden.Aristotle said that the play should be the imitation of an action,that is serious and also have magnitude,Dryden said that play ought to be a just and lively image of human nature,representation of human nature as it is,with liveliness.the play representing passion and humors of human nature.
Another difference is that Aristotle said that it should be in 'pleasurable language' Dryden said that play ought to be 'delight and instruction to mankind' different meaning of pleasure and delight in both definition. So there is a difference in definition of Play and tragedy of Aim , structure and representation ,both defined it differently.
2) give your personal predilection , would you be in the side of the ancient or the modern ? Give reasons.
In this matter I would say that Ancient and modern both plays a vital role . They have their own importance according to time . Modern imitating the ancients , using their forms and subjects so modern just follow the path whose pioneer were ancient they have no model , gave new path. So ancient also important.
Ancient believes in three unities of time , place and action , modern not follows this unities,they believe in liveliness of language. Modern follows the subplot , make the play interesting and help them to main action.so modern breaking the rules , shaping drama in better way with new ideas. I would be in side of modern.
3)Do you think that arguments presented in favour of the French plays and against English plays are appropriate?
I don't think arguments presented against English play are appropriate. French believe in unities ,'one action ' ,one main character ', and in the play only a narration of battles and death , this things were not shown on stage. English believe in 'the lively imitation of nature they thought if scene of battles and death represent ,the audience have knowledge of reality and drama, certain robustness in they want 'battles' and object of horror .so nothing wrong in presentation of it. French play deal with regularity of plot , English invents ' Tragi-comedy ' relief from heaviness of straight tragedy. Their intention by subplot was entertaining and instructive , there is a element of surprise ,in this term I thought English are good in their method ,so arguments against English play are not appropriate.
I don't think arguments presented against English play are appropriate. French believe in unities ,'one action ' ,one main character ', and in the play only a narration of battles and death , this things were not shown on stage. English believe in 'the lively imitation of nature they thought if scene of battles and death represent ,the audience have knowledge of reality and drama, certain robustness in they want 'battles' and object of horror .so nothing wrong in presentation of it. French play deal with regularity of plot , English invents ' Tragi-comedy ' relief from heaviness of straight tragedy. Their intention by subplot was entertaining and instructive , there is a element of surprise ,in this term I thought English are good in their method ,so arguments against English play are not appropriate.
4) what would be your preference so far as poetic or prosaic dialogues are concerned in the play ?
I thought both are important in play . Poetic dialogue gave natural words to play , which gave sense of vision and listening , it demands noble craftsmanship , according to Wordsworth ,' a selection of language ' so poetic dialogue increase granduer of action , thought and seriousness . Poetic gave heighten effect to play and pleasure also. But work can not be in poetic dialogue , communications and information it shall be in prosaic dialogues not in poetic . So both are necessary in play .
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