Bridge course -2 Dryden's essay on Dramatic poecy

"Dryden's essay on Dramatic poecy"

Hello readers!! I am a student. In this Blog I will try to  answer some questions which has given frome Dilip sir. In This essay I  have discuss two questions.

1.Do you find any difference between Aristotle's definition of 'Tragedy' and Dryden's definition of 'Play' . 

Definition of Tragedy by Aristotle:" A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious and also, as having magnitude, complete in itself

In appropriate and pleasureble  language... In a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incident arousing pity  and fear, where with to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions "

     A Greek philosopher Aristotle joined Plato's Academy in Athens and remined there until the age of thirty seaven.

 

    Aristotle indicates that the medium of tragedy is drama , not narrative tragedy "shows" rather than "tells".

   Tragedy is the imitation of action

   Tragedy relates the Sad Episode of life. The chief mood of tragedy is sadness. In this way tragedy relates seriousness.

 

   Aristotle also says that the action of tragedy must be comlete. In other words, it should have a Beginning, middle and end.

   According to Aristotle tragedy should followed by unity of time, place and action.

Also he says that tragedy is quite Different then language of lay-man. The language of tragedy is grand or lofty.

Aristotle gives six parts of tragedy. 

 

 -Plot,

 -character

 -song,

 -diction,

 -thought, 

 -spectacle.

Definition of Play by John Dryden:

"just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors, and the change of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instructions of mankind."

Dryden was an English poet, literay critic, transleter and playwight.

In his work "Eassy on Dramatic poecy" is establishes him as best critic of english literature. It was Samuel Johnson who called him " Father of criticism". According to Samuel Johnson this work was the first perfect work of criticism.

    According to the definition Drama is an image of 'human nature '. And the image is 'just' and 'lively' . By using word 'just' Dryden seems to imply that literature imitate human actions. For Dryden 'poetic imitation ' is different frome an exact, servile copy of reality, for the imitation is not only 'just', it is also ' lively'.

2. If you are supposed be on the side of the ancient or the modern? Please give  reasons.

   In English literature both Ancient and modern writing having their own importance. 

  In one side we have ancient or we can say classic writing which has there rules and regulations. With using it ancient writes have given many noteble work.

  In other hand we have madern writing which have chage itself with time. It can say that they brock the rules but they create new things.

  So, it is difficult to choose one of them because both are essential and glorious.

But personaly want to take side of 'Modern writing ' . Because they explore new themes, issues and topics to write.

  As we can see in Dryden's life that he was a flexible, his principal was flexible. And that was a thing which made him great critic of english literature.

  One who want to exists long in time it must be change with time and new era. And modern writing has done the same.