John Dryden

John Dryden (9 August 1631 – 1 May 1700) was an influential English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who dominated the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Walter Scott called him "Glorious John." He was made Poet Laureate in 1668.

Read more about John Dryden:  Early Life, Later Life and Career, Reputation and Influence, Poetic Style, Selected Works, Select Bibliography

Famous quotes containing the words john dryden, john and/or dryden:

    Fool that I was, upon my eagle’s wings
    I bore this wren, till I was tired with soaring,
    And now he mounts above me.
    John Dryden (1631–1700)

    Ambivalence reaches the level of schizophrenia in our treatment of violence among the young. Parents do not encourage violence, but neither do they take up arms against the industries which encourage it. Parents hide their eyes from the books and comics, slasher films, videos and lyrics which form the texture of an adolescent culture. While all successful societies have inhibited instinct, ours encourages it. Or at least we profess ourselves powerless to interfere with it.
    —C. John Sommerville (20th century)

    But what we gain’d in Skill we lost in Strength.
    Our Builders were with Want of Genius curst;
    The second Temple was not like the first;
    Till you, the best Vitruvius, come at length,
    Our Beauties equal, but excel our Strength.
    —John Dryden (1631–1700)