John Dryden: Poet, Critic, and Playwright of the 17th Century

John Dryden (1631-1700): A Literary Titan

John Dryden, a dominant figure in the second half of the 17th century, was a poet, essayist, literary critic, dramatist, and translator. He cultivated most of the literary genres of his time.

Born in Northamptonshire, England, Dryden came from a landowning family with connections to Parliament and the Church of England. He studied at the Westminster School of London, where he was trained in rhetoric, a strong influence on his writing and critical thought throughout his life.

Early Career and Political Shifts

Dryden published his first poem in 1649 and enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, the following year. There, he likely studied the classics, rhetoric, and mathematics. After graduating, Dryden worked for Oliver Cromwell’s Secretary of State, John Thurloe, marking a shift in his political views. He was present at Cromwell’s funeral in 1658 and published his first important poem, Heroic Stanzas, eulogizing the leader.

In 1660, Dryden celebrated the regime of King Charles II with Astraea Redux, a royalist panegyric. In this poem, he apologized for his allegiance with the Cromwellian government. Samuel Johnson noted that Dryden “changed with the nation,” but also that his earlier work was “not totally forgotten” and “raised him enemies.”

Leading Poet and Literary Critic

Despite this, Dryden quickly established himself after the Restoration as the leading poet and literary critic of his day. He published To His Sacred Majesty: A Panegyric on his Coronation (1662) and To My Lord Chancellor (1662). He was elected an early fellow of the Royal Society and became the first official Poet Laureate of England. He was dismissed from the position in 1688 after refusing to swear an oath of allegiance to William III and Mary II.

Dryden as a Playwright

As a playwright, Dryden published The Wild Gallantin (1663). He was commissioned to produce three plays for the King’s Company, in which he later became a shareholder. His best-known dramatic works are Marriage á la Mode (1672) and All for Love (1678), written in blank verse.

Critical Works and Satire

During the bubonic plague in 1665, Dryden moved to Wiltshire, where he wrote Of Dramatick Poesie (1668), a dialogue among characters debating dramatic works. In 1678, Dryden wrote Mac Flecknoe (1682), a satiric verse attacking Thomas Shadwell. Other works of verse satire include Absalom and Achitophel (1681) and The Medal (1682).

Legacy and Style

Dryden’s mastery of satire anticipated the literary mood of the next century. Though his early work was reminiscent of Abraham Cowley, Dryden developed a style closer to natural speech. He is credited with standardizing the heroic couplet in English poetry. Dryden died on May 1, 1700.