The Life of John Dryden

Charles E. Ward

• Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press
• Year: 2018
• eBook ISBN:
  9780807836804
• Print ISBN:
  9780807836798
  9780807808351

This book fills the need for a complete, accurate, and impartial reexamination of Dryden’s life and career as poet, dramatist, and man of letters. By examining the numerous autobiographical passages that Dryden inserted in his writings and by interpreting these in the light of Dryden’s relationships with persons and contemporary situations, the author disproves some long-accepted explanations of Dryden’s conduct.

Originally published in 1961.

A UNC Press Enduring Edition — UNC Press Enduring Editions use the latest in digital technology to make available again books from our distinguished backlist that were previously out of print. These editions are published unaltered from the original, and are presented in affordable paperback formats, bringing readers both historical and cultural value.

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Preface
• Contents
• I. Backgrounds and Beginnings
• II. Toward a Poetic Career
• III. Early Distinction
• IV. Premier Dramatist of the Age
• V. The Epic Dream
• VI. Critical Theories and Tragedy
• VII. The Angry World
• VIII. Political Commitment
• IX. Attacks and Counterattacks
• X. Religious Incertitude
• XI. Variety of Ways
• XII. Convert to Rome
• XIII. For Church and King
• XIV. “Ruin” and Rehabilitation
• XV. The Struggle for Solvency
• XVI. The Great Translation: Virgil
• XVII. Twilight of Honors
• XVIII. The Last Harmony
• Epilogue
• Appendices
• Notes
• Index