Dryden's critical approach to William Shakespeare

Dryden's critical approach to William Shakespeare

John Dryden was a prominent figure in the English Neoclassical literary movement of the late 17th century. He played a significant role in shaping the neoclassical literary principles and applied them to his own works and criticism. He had a significant influence on the way William Shakespeare's works were viewed and analyzed during his time.

Dryden's critical essays, such as "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" (1668), and "An Essay on Satire" (1675), provided important insights into neoclassical literary theory. In these essays, he discussed the principles of drama, the nature of poetry, and the role of the poet. Dryden's critical approach to Shakespeare can be summarized in several ways:

1. Adaptation and Modernization: Dryden believed that Shakespeare's language was often archaic and difficult for contemporary audiences to understand. Therefore, he advocated for adapting and modernizing Shakespeare's plays to make them more accessible to the audiences of his time. He wrote several adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, such as "All for Love" (1677), which was based on Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra."

2. Unity of Time, Place, and Action: Dryden, like other Neoclassical writers, advocated for the observance of the three unities: unity of time, unity of place, and unity of action. This meant that a play or literary work should take place in a single location, over a limited period of time (usually 24 hours), and should have a tightly-focused plot with no subplots.

According to Dryden, a play should have a tightly-knit plot with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Shakespeare's plays often did not adhere to these unities, and Dryden criticized him for it. Dryden believed that Shakespeare's lack of adherence to these principles weakened the dramatic impact of his plays.

3. Rhymed Verse: Dryden preferred rhymed verse over blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) in dramatic works. He believed that rhymed verse added a musical and pleasing quality to the dialogue, making it more appealing to the audience. Shakespeare primarily used blank verse in his plays, and Dryden criticized this choice.

4. Characterization: Dryden praised Shakespeare's ability to create memorable and lifelike characters, but he also criticized some of Shakespeare's characters as inconsistent or lacking depth. He believed that Shakespeare sometimes sacrificed consistency for dramatic effect.

5. Dramatic Poetry vs. Theatrical Spectacle: Dryden valued the poetry and language in drama over elaborate theatrical spectacle. He believed that a play should focus on the quality of the writing and the emotional impact of the words rather than relying solely on grandiose stage effects.

6. Critique of "Love Scenes": Dryden expressed reservations about Shakespeare's treatment of love in his plays. He felt that Shakespeare's romantic scenes often lacked refinement and tended to be more physical and passionate than what he considered suitable for the stage.

It's important to note that while Dryden critiqued Shakespeare in these ways, he also admired and respected him as a genius of the English stage. His adaptations of Shakespeare's works were an attempt to bring them more in line with the dramatic conventions and tastes of his own time. Overall, Dryden's critical approach to Shakespeare was shaped by the changing theatrical and literary norms of the Restoration period in England.

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