The Changing conception of the Tragic Hero with apecial rererence to.John Dryden

Abstract

Dryden the poet and Dryden the playwright have been rankecl "by critics into two different categories. While lavishinc praise on his poetic talents, critics have often dismissed his heroic dramas as not being wor-t.; discussion. A considerable number ,.f' crit.ics have been int•)l'cstec. i:n presenting a study of Dryden's poetry whereas f'ew are thoRe th�t have been

tem:;;iteu. to present a t.hor-cugh exernf.ne t Lon of' Dryden's plays without being contented with a mere sur-t'aoe look at his dramatic output. However, among those basic studies of' Dryden's dr-ame s that have been most enlightning to one in the writing of' this thesis nave 1:: een Bruoe King Is Dr.:£Q-en Is M!ij or Pll-ly-s, Arthur Kir•sch • s Dryde_!l' s _ Heroic Dr�, and F:ug':>ne M. Wai th I e '.J.'.h.e_l!.e}'.��l!!.:1.1'!..}[er•.o.. J.i:1...'.'.'l.r•J.,_o,:v�t....®!!.E!.11�,

��-212e�-�-��d_.]_;;:_ydc:�. Kine devotes i:1<lividu<1l chapters in his book to the interpretation of' Dryden's main plays. He examines Dryden Is plays in the light of• the intellectual currents of' hie age thus pointing out the immense signi�icance of' relating tile dr-amat.Ls t t.o his age, of' arriving at an under=

htan,ling of' his heroic dz-um.a s mai1,l�.. t.hr-ough getting inunersed into the intellectual atmosphere o r his t.Lme and through meticulously examining the suggestiveness behind his language and design that are replete with i1nplici t :1ll,1sie>J1R to the philosophical views and principles of' some of' the outstanding figures of' his pez-a cd , Hence King's interpretation of Dryden's plays is quite illuminating as he attempts to arrive at what