Theme 7: English Literature in the 17th century. Plan

John Dryden

(1631-1700)

John Dryden was the outstanding English poet from the Restoration in 1660 to the end of the 17th century. He was born to a Puritan family in London and graduated from Cambridge University in 1654.
Dryden wrote verse in several forms: odes, poetic drama, biting satires, and translations of classic authors. His early poem “Heroic Stanzas on the Death of Cromwell“was published in 1659. A year later it was followed by “Astraea Redux”, which celebrated the Restoration of the Stuart line to the throne.
In 1667 Dryden published “Annus Mirabilis”, a poem commemorating three events of the previous year: the end of the plague, the Great Fire of London, and the Dutch War. This is a most unusual feat in transferring almost immediately contemporary events into poetry.
Dryden wrote notable prose as well, including literary criticism of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and others. His venture into political satire began in 1681, with the publication of “Absalom and Achitophel”, written after an unsuccessful attempt by Charles’ illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, to seize the throne. In 1682 he wrote another literary satire “Mac Flecknoe”.
Dryden was a talented translator too. His translation of Virgil’s “Aeneid”, published in 1697, was extremely popular. As a translator, he also rendered Juvenal, Ovid and Chaucer, and the best of his prose in the preface of 1700 to the “Fables”, in which, in the year of his death, he introduced some of his translations to the public. His range cannot be estimated without a consideration of his criticism and his plays in verse.
Key Words and Expressions:
Transition, Religious controversy, Heir, Arrogant, Superstitious, Quarrel, Cavaliers, Puritan Revolution, Taxation, Struggle, Pamphlet, Intricate, Prolonged, Prosperous, Scrivener, Paradise Lost, Duality, Rebel-angels, Banish, Tyranny, Hardship, Plague.


Questions and Tasks
1. What influence did the events of the beginning of the 17th century make on Milton’s literary activity?
2. In 1649 Milton was appointed Latin Secretary to the Council of state. What did it mean?
3. What can you tell about Milton’s tragedy “Samson Agonistes”?
4. “Paradise Lost” is an epic poem. Can you explain why it is “epic”, and not “lyric”?
5. Who are the main characters of “Paradise Lost’?
6. Speak about Milton’s humanism in his characterization of Adam and Eve.
7.What kind of verses did John Dryden write?
8. What events did Dryden’s “Annus Mirabilis” commemorate?