This volume gathers John Dryden’s dramatic essays, where the 17th‑century critic weighs the merits of tragedy and heroic plays, the craft of verse, and the art of translating ancient authors. Read as a window into Restoration theater and literary debate, it reveals how Dryden judged passion, form, and style without losing sight of common sense.

The editor’s notes place the essays in context, guiding readers through references to contemporaries, classical sources, and evolving taste. You’ll see how Dryden contrasts Shakespeare and Fletcher, discusses the limits and possibilities of blank verse, and reflects on why some works feel true to life while others rely on antique flourishes.

Analyzes how passion, character, and language shape a tragic or comic scene.
Offers practical ideas on verse, structure, and dramatic representation.
Delves into translation, adaptation, and the challenges of rendering classical texts.
Rooted in historical theater, with notes that illuminate references and terms of the era.

Ideal for readers of literary criticism, theater history, and Dryden fans seeking a deeper sense of his critical method and the theatrical culture of his time.

About the Author

Vinton A. Dearing, editor of the California Dryden edition, is Professor of English at the University of California, Los Angeles.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

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