Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration Periods
Class Assignment Analyse the John Dryden's poem"Absalom and Achitophel" Introduction Absalom and Achitophel is a celebrated satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic couplets and first published in 1681. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679 1681). The poem also references the Popish Plot (1678). About the Author John Dryden (1631–1700) was a prominent English poet, playwright, and literary critic of the Restoration period. He served as England’s first official Poet Laureate and was a dominant literary figure of his time. Dryden is best known for his satirical works, such as Absalom and Achitophel, and for shaping English poetic style through heroic couplets. His influence marked the transition from Renaissance to Neoclassical literature. Background ...