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Book description

A new and comprehensive selection of Dryden's poetry, revealing him as a master of theatricality, ventriloquism, and unmistakable originality. Brought together here are many of the poems from his time as Poet Laureate and loyal servant of the crown, including the Biblical allegory 'Absalom and Achitophel', in which the poet attacked those who intrigued against the King and earned himself a reputation for menace and a number of powerful enemies. His 'Works of Virgil' set the standard for the translation of Latin poetry. His last work, 'Fables Ancient and Modern' combined original verse and new translations, showing how he transformed the idioms and gestures of other voices and made them his own. Most of John Dryden's (1631-1700) early work was for the theatre. He wrote romantic comedies, adaptations and tragi-comedies including 'Marriage -la-Mode'. He was Poet Laureate from 1668 to 1688 during which time he wrote his most celebrated satires and criticism. In his later years, he turned to translation. Steven N. Zwicker & David Bywaters have edited this volume. Zwicker teaches English at Washington University and is author of 'The Cambridge Companion to English Literature 1650-1740'.