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Name : Pratiksha M Solanki
Roll No : 26
Sem : 1 (2013-2015)
Paper : Literary Theory and
Criticism.
• Subject : Dryden's Comparative
Criticism of Ben Jonson.
• Submitted to :
Smt. S.B. Gardi
Dept. of English
M.K.Bhavnagar University

2. Brief Introduction : John Dryden
John Dryden
(1631-1700)
greatest English
poet of the
seventeenth
century.
He was an English
poet, Dramatist,
Literary Critic,
Translator.

3. An Essay of Dramatic Poesy

4. An Essay of Dramatic Poesy
In 1668 : He wrote his most important
prose work, Of Dramatick Poesie, an
Essay.
Dryden’s own defense of his literary
practices.
• The four gentlemen, Eugenius, Crites,
Lisideius, and Neander begin an ironic
and witty conversation on the subject
of poetry, which soon turns into a
debate on the virtues of modern and
ancient writers.

5.  Ben Jonson
 Ben Jonson ( 11 June 1572, 6 August 1637 )
was a Jacobean playwright, poet, and literary
critic, of the seventeenth century.

6. Comparative Criticism of Ben Jonson
• Dryden's observation on Ben
Jonson.
• " As for Jonson, I think he was the
most learned and judicious writer
which any Theater ever had. He was
a most severe Judge of himself as
well as others. He managed his
strength to more advantage then
any who preceded him."

7. • Humour was his proper sphere, and in
that he delighted most to represent
Mechanick people.
• He invades Authours like a Monarch,
and what would be theft in other
poets, is onely victory in him.
• Fault in his language : In his play he
did a little to much to Romanize our
Tongue. Leaving the words which he
translated almost as much Latine as
he found them.

8.  Every Man in His Humour