What are the critical views of John Dryden, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson

John Dryden, Alexander Pope, and Samuel Johnson were all prominent literary figures of the late 17th and early 18th centuries in England, and they each had their own unique critical views.

John Dryden was one of the first literary critics to write in English, and he is known for his emphasis on the importance of good taste and decorum in literature. He advocated for the use of classical models and conventions in literature, and believed that literature should be judged by its ability to please and instruct the reader. Dryden also believed that the purpose of literature was to entertain and educate the reader, rather than to merely express the writer's emotions.

Alexander Pope, on the other hand, believed that literature should be moralistic and should aim to improve the reader's character. He felt that literary works should be judged by the quality of their moral instruction, and he emphasized the importance of reason, clarity, and order in literature. Pope also believed that literature should be accessible to a wide audience, and he advocated for the use of simple and elegant language.

What are the critical views of John Dryden, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson, who was a contemporary of Pope, had a similar view of the purpose of literature. He believed that literature should instruct and improve the reader, and he felt that it was the duty of the writer to express moral truths. Johnson emphasized the importance of good sense and propriety in literature and he believed that literary works should be judged by their ability to communicate universal truths.

In summary, while all three literary figures had different critical views, they all shared the belief that literature should serve a moral purpose and should be judged by its ability to instruct and improve the reader.

What are the views of Johnson on poetry

Samuel Johnson, one of the most prominent literary figures of the 18th century, had a number of views on poetry.

• Firstly, Johnson believed that poetry should be morally instructive. He felt that literature should aim to improve the reader's character and should communicate universal truths. He also believed that poetry should be written in a clear and elegant language that is accessible to a wide audience.
• Secondly, Johnson placed a great emphasis on the importance of good sense and propriety in poetry. He felt that poetry should be based on reason rather than emotion, and that it should conform to established literary conventions. He also believed that poetry should be judged by its ability to please and instruct the reader, rather than by its ability to express the writer's emotions.
• Thirdly, Johnson believed that poetry should be imitative, drawing inspiration from classical models and conventions. He advocated for the use of traditional forms and meters, and believed that poetry should be modeled on the works of the great poets of the past.
• Lastly, Johnson also believed that poetry should be written with a sense of purpose, whether it be to entertain or to instruct. He believed that poetry should be written with the intention of benefiting the reader.

In summary, Johnson had a very traditional and conservative view of poetry. He believed that poetry should be morally instructive, conform to established literary conventions, be written in clear and elegant language and be modeled on the works of the great poets of the past.

Why is Dryden called the critics critic

John Dryden is often referred to as the "critic's critic" because of his extensive and influential critical writing. He wrote extensively about literature, including poetry, drama, and literary theory, and his works had a significant impact on literary criticism in the 17th century and beyond.

• One of the reasons Dryden is considered a "critic's critic" is because of his ability to analyze and evaluate literary works in a clear and precise manner. His critical works are marked by their logical and systematic approach, and he was able to articulate his views on literature with great clarity.
• Another reason Dryden is considered a "critic's critic" is because of his wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of literary history and tradition. He was well-versed in classical literature, as well as contemporary literature, and he was able to draw on this knowledge in his criticism.
• Additionally, Dryden's critical writing was marked by his ability to make connections between literature and society, culture and politics. He used his literary criticism as a way to comment on the broader issues of his time.
• Dryden's critical writing also had a significant influence on the development of literary criticism in the 18th century and beyond. His works were widely read and discussed, and his ideas and methods were adopted by many later critics.

In summary, John Dryden is considered the "critic's critic" because of his extensive and influential critical writing, his ability to analyze and evaluate literary works, his wide-ranging knowledge and understanding of literary history and tradition, and his ability to connect literature to society, culture and politics, his works were widely read and discussed, and his ideas and methods were adopted by many later critics.

Who is critic according to Johnson

According to Samuel Johnson, a critic is someone who is qualified to judge the merits of literary works and provide an evaluation of them. In his famous work "Preface to Shakespeare," Johnson defines a critic as "a man skilled in the interpretation of the beauties and faults of any performance."

Johnson believed that the role of the critic is to provide an objective and impartial analysis of a work of literature, considering factors such as its style, structure, and content. He argued that a critic should approach a work with "a mind unbiassed by prepossession, and uninfluenced by any interest but that of discovering the truth."

Johnson also believed that a critic should be well-educated and well-read, with a wide-ranging knowledge of literary history and tradition. He emphasized the importance of studying the works of the great writers of the past in order to understand the context and influences that shaped their writing.

In addition to evaluating the literary merits of a work, Johnson also believed that a critic should provide readers with useful information about the author and the historical context in which the work was written. He argued that a critic should "inform the judgment, and regulate the taste" of readers.

In summary, Samuel Johnson defines a critic as someone who is qualified to judge the merits of literary works and provide an objective, impartial and well-informed evaluation of them, He emphasizes the importance of being well-educated and well-read, with a wide-ranging knowledge of literary history and tradition, and providing readers with useful information about the author and the historical context in which the work was written.

What kind of critic is Samuel Johnson

Samuel Johnson is often considered to be one of the most important literary critics of the 18th century. He is known for his critical works such as "Lives of the Poets" and "Preface to Shakespeare," which have had a lasting impact on literary criticism.

Johnson is considered to be a neoclassical critic, which means that his approach to literary criticism was based on the principles of classical literary theory. He believed in the idea of literary "rules" and "standards," which he believed were necessary for the creation of great literature. He also believed in the importance of reason and logic in the analysis of literature, and that the value of a literary work could be determined through careful examination of its form, structure, and content.

He also considered himself as a moral critic, as he believed that literature should have a positive impact on society, and that it should promote virtues such as morality, virtue, and decorum. He was also a historical critic, as he believed that literary works should be understood in the context of the historical time period in which they were written.

In summary, Samuel Johnson is considered to be a neoclassical, moral and historical critic. He believed in the idea of literary "rules" and "standards" and the importance of reason and logic in the analysis of literature, He also believed that literature should have a positive impact on society, and that it should promote virtues such as morality, virtue, and decorum. He also believed that literary works should be understood in the context of the historical time period in which they were written.

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