Write a note on the change in the language of poetry in the age of Dryden. ( MEG 102 ) ( THE AGE OF DRYDEN )

The Age of Dryden (1660-1700) saw a significant change in the language of poetry in England. Prior to this period, English poetry was often written in a highly ornate and complex style, with a great deal of emphasis placed on rhetorical flourish and obscure vocabulary. However, with the rise of neoclassicism and the influence of French literature, there was a movement towards a simpler and more straightforward style of poetry.

John Dryden was a key figure in this shift, and his work helped to popularize a more plain-spoken and direct style of poetry. He believed that the language of poetry should be clear and simple, and that it should prioritize clarity and accessibility over rhetorical flourish or complexity. Dryden's use of the heroic couplet, a form of poetry characterized by its strict meter and rhyme scheme, helped to reinforce this emphasis on clarity and simplicity.

Dryden's influence was also felt in the development of the novel as a literary form, which similarly emphasized a plain-spoken and straightforward style of writing. As a result, the language of literature in general became more accessible and less ornate, with a greater focus on directness and clarity.

The change in the language of poetry during the Age of Dryden was part of a broader shift in English literature towards a more rational and empirical mode of writing. The emphasis on clarity and accessibility reflected a growing interest in science and reason, and a rejection of the obscure and mystical language of earlier periods. This shift had a profound influence on the development of English literature in subsequent centuries, and helped to shape the language and style of poetry and prose writing for generations to come.