3John Dryden - Annus Mirabilis & Mac Flecknoe PDF

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Fall 2015, Ladd...

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He was a poet and playwright, a well as a literary critic. Dryden was well educated, who knew Greek and Latin, and thus translated important texts, such as the Complete Works of Virgil. Therefore, more people were reading classical texts He was part of a period that we sometimes call the Neo-Classical period It was the late 18th Century Ancient texts were being re-introduced into culture and imitated. Dryden thus also used Virgil as a model on ow he wanted to conduct career Virgil can thus be compared to Dryden, and Augustus can be compared to Charles II Emperor Augustus in Ancient Rome was a promoter of t a great patron of culture, supporting the career of Virgil. Dryden was working in a period when poetry was public and political. The idea that poetry was personal came from the Romantic period Therefore, Dryden’s poetry contained political arguments instead. Annus Mirabilis We see the public world as being represented. It is a deeply sincere political poem. The title means “year of wonders" This was in 1666 This has to do with the Naval Victory in the Anglo-Dutch War, and the Fire They also still have the restored king on the throne Genre Thus is can be a historical poem, because it does speak of certain ev It can also be a narrative poem, as it tells a story It could also be a panegyric, which is shameless flattery. It could also be an occasional poem, an important genre in the 18th inspired by an occasion. Everything has a constant order and is very structured, working from the id epic tradition. It is an elevated and grand style. There is no irony in this poem: it is a very sincere poem. The use of allusion There are references to angels, Egypt, and things outside of E This is a poem that goes on beyond entertaining the audience There is a tone of optimism for England after the War, the Fire of Lon The Plague, etc. He looks forward, saying that England will come to...