Kimberlee Vander Most--1B
Dryden's "An Essay on Dramatic Poesy" grew out of a desire to resist French literary tastes and standards. He wished to develop a uniquely English style of writing. With the reopening of the theaters in 1660, new English playwrights were uncertain of what direction to take. Should they imitate French style, the style of 16th and 17th century English dramatists, or develop something new and unique for the current England?
Dryden says its purpose is "chiefly to vindicate the honor of our English writers from the censure of those who unjustly prefer the French before them". He tries to remain skeptical and impose no few as right. He does this by setting up the criticism as a dialogue between friends, who all cite quotes from authors to bolster their opinions.
1) Crites praises ancients
2) Eugenius protests their authority; wants progress in the arts
3) Lisideius likes French plays
4) Neander defends English tradition and praises Shakespeare, Fletcher, and Jonson
The dialogue takes place on June 3, 1665 on a boat in the Thames. The location is so specific because the friends wanted to hear the cannons and bussle of the English and Dutch ships fighting off the coast. The victory for England in the battle is supposed to reflect England's literary victory in the mind of Dryden.
*Taken from the Norton footnotes and intro for "An Essay on Dramatic Poesy" as well as some of lecture
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