Disscussion in Form of Q&A on 'Essay on Dramatick Poesie' (1668) Written by John Dryden.

☆ Brief Introduction to 'Essay of Dramatic Poesy' :

'Essay of Dramatic Poesy' was written by John Dryden in the year of 1666 and was published in 1668. It involves the critique of 'Drama' as a genre in a favourable manner.

Criticism flourished in England during the restoration of Stuarts. An Essay of Dramatic Poesy deals with the views of major critics and the tastes of men and women of the time of Dryden.

The work is in the form of semi-drama thus making abstract theories interesting. In the late 17th century, Shakespeare was severely criticised for his careless attitude towards the mixing of genres. It was Dryden who elevated Shakespeare to height for his natural genius.

The narrative of An Essay of Dramatic Poesy has four debaters among whom, Neander is the one who holds the views of Dryden. Unlike other characters, Neander does not diminish the arguments that are on contrary to his views. Though he himself favours modern drama, he does not blame others.

(Source : https://englishsummary.com/essay-dramatic-poesy-dryden-summary/)

☆ Discussion of Several Questions Regarding 'Essay on Dramatic Poesy' :

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

Answer : Before going to the difference of both the definition provided by renowned literary giants, let us have the two remarkable and 'touch-stone' definitions regarding 'Drama' by the two great literary figures : Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) & John Dryden (1631 - 1700 CE) :

▪︎In chapter 6 of Poetics, Aristotle gives his famous definition of 'Tragedy' as :

"an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions."

— Aristotle. The Poetics, Part VI.
Translated by S. H. Butcher

▪︎John Dryden in his 'Essay on Dramatic Poesy' gives the definition of the literary form 'Play' or 'Drama' :

"For though Tragedy be justly preferred above the other, yet there is a great affinity between them as may easily be discovered in that definition of a Play which Lisideius gave us. The Genus of them is the same, a just and lively Image of human nature, in its Actions, Passions, and traverses of Fortune: so is the end, namely for the delight and benefit of Mankind."

》Now let us differentiate between the two perspectives laid by Aristotle and Dryden respectively.

At an eagle-eye view, we get to find the ostensible difference between the indicative meaning of the genre - play or drama; Aristotle says that it should be embellished with artistic ornaments or devices like several figures of speech whereas Dryden states that it is just and lively picture of mankind. This is the thing which differentiates the two, one tells that it is necessary to add on artistic devices to make a play, especially tragedy, more interesting, but on the other hand one says that it should be just and lively; but making it just will not allow any of the figures of speech to be used, for it garbs the real actions and nature of a character in the play.

Question 2 : Do you think that the arguments presented in favour of the French plays and against English plays are appropriate?

Answer : Let us see an excerpt taken from the essay in which Lisideius seems to support the French Drama :

'But for death, that it ought not to be represented, I have, besides the arguments alledged by Lisideius, the authority of Ben Johnson, who has forborn it in his tragedies; for both the death of Sejanus and Catiline are related: though in the latter I cannot but observe one irregularity of that great poet; he has removed the scene in the same act from Rome to Catiline's army, ​and from thence again to Rome; and besides, has allowed a very inconsiderable time, after Catiline's speech, for the striking of the battle, and the return of Petreius, who is to relate the event of it to the senate: which I should not animadvert on him, who was otherwise a painful observer of τὸ πρέπον, or the decorum of the stage, if he had not used extreme severity in his judgment on the incomparable Shakspeare for the same fault  n.—To conclude on this subject of relations; if we are to be blamed for shewing too much of the action, the French are as faulty for discovering too little of it: a mean betwixt both should be observed by every judicious writer, so as the audience may neither be left unsatisfied by not seeing what is beautiful, or shocked by beholding what is either incredible or undecent.'

In aforementioned excerpt from the essay we find Lisidieus echoing in favour of French Drama and somewhat superiorizing it over the Engish Drama. We can say that certain spectacles or the arrangement of the stage as argued by Lisideius are so far acceptable when he says that death should not be shown on the stage, armies are shown as five persona as a whole, etc. It is up to the director or the manager of the stage as to what kind of spectacles are to be used in accordance with the tools, machinery, and needed devices.

Question 3 : What would be your preference so far as poetic or prosaic dialogues are concerned in the play?

Answer : As far as the preference between the use of poetic or prosaic dialogoues in a play is concercened, I can vote for both the forms, for it is the obvious fact that both forms of expressing the essence of any play are well celebrated by both - Critics and Audience. But when it relates to my predilection, I would choose poetic dialogues because I think on the basis of my observance and experience that anything that is written in poeric genre or style is easy to be digiseted and remembered in addition.

Thank You!