Literary Theory and Criticism
Dr. Ramirez


Study Questions:

What are the six parts of a tragedy, according to Aristotle? In what
work does he outline them?
 
What does Aristotle say about character in tragedy?

Who are the four personae of Dryden's "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy,"
and what are their positions?

What are the three unities? Be specific.

In "A Defense of an Essay on Dramatic Poesy," who does Dryden seem
most closely aligned with in terms of the 4 personae (who are not mentioned explicitly)? And why?

How does Dryden complicate the plot in Indian Emperor? How does his construction of plot align with Aristotle's notion of tragedy? Be sure you know the difference between the incidental and the major events.

What does Dryden say about Diction?
What does Dryden say about the opinion or the taste of the audience in his debate with Howard?
What form of verse does Dryden use in Indian Emperor? Be specific.