Dryden, an English poet and playwright, is known to be one of the greatest literary figures of the 17th century However, even someone as renowned as Dryden has had their fair share of criticism and bad reviews throughout their career In this article, we delve deeper into Dryden’s bad reviews, exploring why he received them and what they tell us about his work.
One of the most famous bad reviews Dryden received was from the poet and critic, John Dennis In his 1704 publication “Remarks upon Mr Pope’s Translation of Homer”, Dennis not only criticized Pope’s translation of Homer’s “Iliad”, but he also took the opportunity to attack Dryden, who had died nine years prior Dennis criticised Dryden’s “heroic plays” in particular, such as “The Conquest of Granada” and “Aureng-Zebe” for being too artificial and lacking in genuine emotion He wrote,
“The style of our dramas is not extremely raised or abounding with bold metaphors, but it must needs be owned that it is natural and flowing, and well suited to the business, transports, and emotions it represents And though I would not be thought by this to plead for nonsense, yet I dare venture to affirm that a passionate expression, without any colour or pretence of reason in it, has sometimes touched me more than the most laboured strokes of wit or graces of expression in a play of Dryden’s.”
Dennis’ criticism of Dryden’s work was significant because Dennis was a contemporary of Dryden, and his views were shared by many of Dryden’s other enemies and critics He was also a respected critic in his own right, making his opinions on Dryden carry even more weight.
Despite receiving negative reviews during his lifetime, Dryden’s reputation as a literary figure has only grown over the centuries since his death His influence on poetry and drama is still felt today, and his work is taught in schools and universities around the world.
So, why did Dryden receive bad reviews? One reason could be his tendency towards moral ambiguity in his plays In his most famous play, “All for Love”, Dryden presents a sympathetic portrayal of the tragic lovers, Antony and Cleopatra Instead of condemning their actions, Dryden portrays their love as a valuable and meaningful thing, even if it ultimately leads to their downfall This went against the moral expectations of the time, where love was seen as a vice and something to be avoided.
Dryden’s plays were also criticised for their artificiality Drydens bad reviews. In the Restoration period in which Dryden was writing, there was a love of spectacle and grandeur in theatre, with elaborate sets, costumes, and special effects While Dryden was certainly capable of providing these elements in his plays, he was also interested in portraying real human emotions and conflicts This meant that his plays were often more subdued and reserved than his contemporaries, which some critics saw as a weakness.
Another criticism levelled at Dryden was that he borrowed too heavily from other sources In his plays, he often drew on history, mythology, and other literary works for inspiration, which some critics saw as lacking in originality However, Dryden was far from a plagiarist, and he often made significant changes to his source material to suit his own dramatic purposes.
Despite the criticisms Dryden faced during his lifetime, it’s clear that his work has stood the test of time Many of his plays and poems are still read and performed today, and his influence on English literature is undeniable.
Overall, Dryden’s bad reviews can teach us a lot about the intersection between art and criticism While it’s natural for artists to want to please their audiences, they must also be true to their own vision and their own artistic instincts Sometimes, this means taking risks and pushing boundaries, even if it means facing criticism or disapproval Dryden’s willingness to break with convention and present stories and characters in his own unique way has resulted in a body of work that has stood the test of time, even if it wasn’t always appreciated during his own lifetime.
In conclusion, Dryden’s bad reviews tell us more about the time and culture in which he lived than about his own artistic merit While some critics saw his work as lacking in originality or emotional depth, others recognized him as a pioneer who was unafraid to challenge social and moral norms Today, Dryden’s reputation as one of the greatest writers of the 17th century is secure, and his influence on English literature will continue to be felt for generations to come.