The epic ambition of Dryden was realised only in (a) the mock epic satire and the translation of Virgil epic. Why did the creative imagination decline from the heroic epic of Milton the mock heroic satire of Dryden? ( MEG 102 ) ( THE AGE OF DRYDEN )

John Dryden was a prominent English poet and playwright of the 17th century who wrote in various genres, including heroic epics, plays, satires, and translations. While Dryden did attempt to write heroic epics in the tradition of John Milton, such as "Annus Mirabilis" and "The Hind and the Panther," his most successful epics are arguably his mock epic satires, such as "Mac Flecknoe" and "The Battle of the Books," and his translation of Virgil's epic, "The Aeneid."

One reason for Dryden's focus on mock epic and translation rather than original heroic epics may have been the changing literary tastes and cultural climate of the time. The late 17th century saw a shift away from the grand, heroic themes of earlier epic poetry, as writers and readers began to embrace a more satirical and ironic approach to literature. Dryden, who was known for his wit and humor, was well-suited to this new literary mode, and his mock epic satires, which used the language and imagery of epic poetry to satirize contemporary figures and institutions, were widely popular.

Dryden's translation of Virgil's "The Aeneid," on the other hand, was a monumental achievement that helped to establish his reputation as one of the foremost literary figures of his time. This translation, which took Dryden over ten years to complete, was praised for its clarity and elegance, and helped to popularize the classics among English readers.

Overall, the decline of the heroic epic and the rise of the mock epic satire can be attributed to a combination of changing literary tastes and cultural trends, as well as the particular talents and interests of individual writers like Dryden. While the heroic epic may have fallen out of fashion in the late 17th century, it continued to influence and inspire later writers, and remains a significant genre in the history of English literature.