Author Description
John Dryden was the most illustrious poet of his day; the publication of his Works of Virgil was nothing less than a national event. He was in the public eye for some forty years, holding positions at court for a long period. Dryden wrote more, and in more genres than any of hiscontemporaries, was praised for his bold, straightforward, and energetic style, and produced the first body of what we now call "criticism" in English.This new selection, prepared by the eminent Dryden scholar Keith Walker, represents the full range of Dryden's poetic talent, and pays particular attention to his translations, which formed the backbone of his poetic output. These translations more than anything re-energized English verse andpointed to new possiblities for later poets.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the breadth and technical evolution of John Dryden’s poetic output to establish his foundational role in English verse and literary criticism. Editor Keith Walker utilizes a comprehensive selection of Dryden’s original poetry and translations to argue that Dryden’s work served as the primary catalyst for the modernization of English poetic style. By examining Dryden’s career-long influence at court and his prolific output across multiple genres, the text positions him as the central figure in the development of English critical thought.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A curated selection of Dryden’s poetry spanning forty years of his career.
- Extensive focus on Dryden’s translations of Virgil and other classical works.
- Analysis of Dryden’s contributions to the formalization of English literary criticism.
Scope Limits
- This collection does not include the entirety of Dryden’s dramatic works or political pamphlets.
- The analysis is limited to the perspective of the editor, Keith Walker, rather than a comprehensive biography.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of 17th-century literature frequently cite this edition as a primary resource for understanding the transition toward neoclassical poetic standards. Experts highlight the inclusion of Dryden's translations as a critical feature for those studying the evolution of English verse.
Page Count:
288
Publication Date:
1994-06-02
ISBN-10:
0192822640
ISBN-13:
9780192822642
Poetry
Anthology
Classical
Literary Criticism
British literature