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Dryden's Dramatic Poesy

17, September 2017



1) Do you any difference between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play?

Aristotle's Definition of Tragedy,


“A tragedy is the imitation of an action that is serious an d also, a s having magnitude, complete in itself; in appropriate and pleasurable language;... in a dramatic rather than narrative form; with incidents arousing pity and fear, wherewith to accomplish a catharsis of these emotions.” 

Dryden's Definition of Play,

"Just and lively image of human nature, representing its passions and humors, and the changes of fortune to which it is subject, for the delight and instruction of mankind."

Dryden’s definition and Aristotle’s definition of tragedy.  Aristotle said that “tragedy is the imitation of action which that is serious and also as having magnitude.   complete in itself. Dryden says that drama is an 'image' of 'human nature' and the image is 'just' and 'lively'. By using the word 'just' Dryden seems to imply that literature imitates human action. For Dryden, 'poetic imitation' is different from an exact servile copy of reality for the imitation is not only 'just' it is also 'lively'.


  2) If you are supposed to give your personal predilection, would you be on the side of the Ancient or the Modern? Please give reasons.


Yes, I have preferred modern  rather than ancients. Because moderns Have learned from the ancients. They are not follow with blind way but, they excel new things in many ways.

Eugenius arguing that " The moderns exceeds the ancients because of having learned and profited from their example. " 


3) Do you think that the arguments presented in favour of the French plays and against English plays are appropriate?

The arguments are in favour of French plays and against English plays are appropriate in one or the another way, because the French narration are skillful and well managed than English plays. French plays faithfully observed the rules of three unites 'time', 'place' and 'action'.

 4) What would be your preference so far as poetic or prosaic dialogues are concerned in the play?

I would like to prefer poetic dialogues, because it is provide us aesthetic delight,  and in the  play there could be  many dialogues like a master scolds his servant. Whereas the prosaic dialogues needs more understanding of people. so poetic dialogues better to understandings of human nature.

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