BA PART I Dr.Rohini Asst.prof. (Guest faculty) Dept. of English B.N.College,PU [email protected] Mob. 9708723599 • John Dryden was the greatest critic of Restoration age • John Dryden was an English poet, literary critic, translator , playwright • Charles II was the king of England during Restoration age MAC FLECKNOE • John Dryden belonged to puritan family • He was England’s poet laureate in 1668 BY JOHN • He was highly educated DRYDEN • Dryden was famous for heroic couplet • Dryden also wrote allegorical satire • Dryden heralded a new era in the realm of satire • Dryden was a bold satirist • Heroic Stanza • Astraea Redux Works by John • Annus Mirabilis • Alexander Feast Dryden • Religio Laici • Absalom and Achitophel • The Medal • Mac Flecknoe • Mac Flecknoe is a lampoon(personal satire) by John Dryden • Its full title is A Satyr upon the true Blew Protestant Poet, T.S • It is a verse mock heroic satire • Mac is suggestive of son • Flecknoe is suggestive of Richard Flecknoe • The title ‘ Mac Flecknoe’ is suggestive ; the son of MAC FLECKNOE Richard Flecknoe • The target person of this satire is Thomas Shadwell • Dryden has grudge against Thomas Shadwell • The subject of this quarrel was over the true purpose of comedy • On political ground Dryden was a Tory and Shadwell was Whig • Famous lines of the book MAC ‘The rest to some faint meaning make pretence But sh………..never deviates into sense.’ FLECKNOE Dryden mocks Shadwell as he imitates bad dramatists. Dryden calls him nonsense and a non deserving poet in the literary world. Dryden writes:- ‘‘ Heywood and Shirley were but type of thee, Thou last great prophet of tautology.’’ Among Heywood, Shirley and Flecknoe, Shadwell is the worst poet who may be entitled crown of Dullness. Dryden boldly calls him a poetaster of his age • Suggested Readings • 1. Macflecknoe by John Dryden