Explain why the age of Dryden is described as the age of reason and the age of balance and compromise. [British Poetry (2018-19) Assignment 2]

The age of Dryden, also known as the Restoration period, is described as the age of reason and the age of balance and compromise for several reasons. During this time, a new spirit of intellectual inquiry emerged, and writers sought to reconcile reason and faith, science and religion, and tradition and innovation. This resulted in a literary culture that valued moderation, balance, and compromise, as well as a commitment to reason and rationality.

Firstly, the age of Dryden was characterized by a growing faith in reason and a commitment to scientific inquiry. This was reflected in the work of writers such as John Locke, who argued that all knowledge is derived from experience and that reason is the best means of understanding the world. This emphasis on reason and rationality had a profound impact on the literary culture of the time, as writers sought to create works that were grounded in reality and that reflected the complexities of the world around them.

Secondly, the age of Dryden was marked by a commitment to balance and compromise in both politics and literature. The Restoration period was a time of great political and social upheaval, and writers sought to create works that reflected the diversity and complexity of their world. This led to a literary culture that valued moderation, balance, and compromise, as well as a commitment to exploring the complexities of the human experience.

Thirdly, the age of Dryden was characterized by a desire to reconcile the tensions between tradition and innovation. This was reflected in the work of writers such as Dryden himself, who sought to combine the classicism of the past with the experimentalism of the present. This resulted in a literary culture that valued both tradition and innovation, and that sought to create works that were both timeless and relevant to their own time.

In conclusion, the age of Dryden is described as the age of reason and the age of balance and compromise because it was characterized by a commitment to reason and rationality, a desire for balance and compromise, and a willingness to reconcile the tensions between tradition and innovation. These values shaped the literary culture of the time and continue to influence literature to this day.