Dryden's Poetry (A Midland Book, MB 143)

xx, 354 pp. "Presenting new-found historical information, this book enlarges on traditional treatments by including Dryden's plays and translations along with the nondramatic verse. In Part I, "Public and Private Experience," the major focus is on All for Love and Annus Mirabilis, for which Mr. Miner offers a controversial interpretation. In Part II, he studies the interaction of metaphor and theme, devoting a chapter each to MacFlecknoe, Absalom and Architophel, Eleonora, and The Hind and the Panther. Part III discusses themes and variations in Dryden's lyrics and in the Fables." "John Dryden (19 August [O.S. 9 August] 1631 – 12 May  [O.S. 1 May] 1700) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who was made England's first Poet Laureate in 1668. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden."