《英国文学_John_Dryden》课件.pptVIP

John Dryden John Dryden (August 9,1631 – May 1,1700) An influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England ,the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Walter Scott called him Glorious John. He was made Poet Laureate in 1667 Life and Career In 1631 ,Dryden was born in the nearby village of Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire where he received his first education. In 1644,he went to Westminster School In1649, his first published poem In 1650, Dryden went up to Trinity College, Cambridge In 1654, he obtained his BA, graduating top of the list for Trinity that year. In 1654, Dryden’s father died, leaving him some land which generated a little income, but not enough to live on. In 1658, at Cromwell’s funeral, Dryden processed with the Puritan poets John Milton and Andrew Marvell. In 1658,he published his first important poem, Heroique Stanzas, a eulogy on Cromwell’s death which is cautious and prudent in its emotional display. In 1660 Dryden celebrated the Restoration of the monarchy and the return of Charles IIwith Astraea Redux, After the Restoration, Dryden quickly established himself as the leading poet and literary critic of his day and he transferred his allegiances to the new government. In November 1662 Dryden was proposed for membership in the Royal Society, and was selected an early fellow. However, Dryden was inactive in Society affairs and in 1666 was expelled for non-payment of his dues. On December 1,1663 Dryden married the royalist sister of Sir Robert Howard—Lady Elizabeth. From 1668 on he was contracted to produce three plays a year for the Kings Company. He led the way in Restoration comedy, his best known work being Marriage à la Mode (1672), as well as heroic tragedy and regular tragedy, in which his greatest success was All for Love (1678). In 1667, his dramatic career began, he published Annus Mirabilis, Poet