Review on Dryden's: Thinking Acitvity

Dryden's task

Que.1 Do you any difference between Aristotle's definition of Tragedy and Dryden's definition of Play?

Ans.1 Yes,we see difference because Aristotle says that tragedy is an imitation of an action Aristotle believes that there is natural pleasure in imitation where as Dryden define play as just and lively image of human nature representing it is passion and humorous and the change of fortune to which it is subject for the devite and instructions of man kind .

Que.2 If you are supposed to give your personal predilection, would you be on the side of the Ancient or the Modern? Please give reasons.

Ans.2  According to me, it is not necessary that Modern always tries to copy from the Ancient, may be that sometimes there is new idea also which is presented by Modern. But generally we find that many times Modern takes ideas from Ancient and tries to present it in a different and unique manner. Thus, Modern tries to explain ideas to people and show them a different way to think. So, according to me , both are appropriate with their own ideas , Ancient gives ideas and Modern tries to represent it in a different way according to current time.

Que.3 Do you think that the arguments presented in favour of the French plays and against English plays are appropriate? (Say for example, Death should not be performed as it is neither 'just' not 'lively' image, displaying duel fight with blunted swords, thousands of soldiers marching represented as five on stage, mingling of mirth and serious, multiple p

Ans.3 I think arguments are presented in the favour of English plays. The plots of French plays are barren while English ones are copious to further the same action. The English plays have numbers of plots with the main plot and audience is important because of that in English plays, there are all types of themes.

Que.4 What would be your preference so far as poetic or prosaic dialogues are concerned in the play?

Ans.4 I like poetry because dialogues of poetry are psychological and gives better understanding of human nature and the work of human mind. But it is also true that poetic language is hard to understand, for illiterate also and prosaic dialogues are easy to understand by every people.