•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 pratikshasolanki068@gmail.com

Brief Introduction : John Dryden John Dryden

(1631-1700) greatest English poet of the seventeenth century.

He was an English poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic, Translator.

An Essay of Dramatic Poesy

An Essay of Dramatic PoesyIn 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.

Ben Jonson

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

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."

• 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.

Every Man in His Humour