Defense of Rhyme by Neander

Khizer Iqbal
17044
Bs-Eng 7-A
Ma’am Asma

National University of Modern Languages

Defense of Rhyme by Neander
John Dryden is considered as most shinning stars of the Restoration Age, therefore the whole
age is known as age of Dryden. He was a poet, critic and great genius in English literature.
Neander’s Views In favor of English Drama
Dryden in the person of Neander rises of up in defense of English dramatist that English
dramatist are fully justified, accepting the classical principles in many respects. They have
developed their own principles and proved themselves to be superior to Greek and French
dramatist in many ways. In the first place, French drama whether comic or tragic lacks emotion
and passion. English dramas have both qualities in them. The English tragedies produce pity and
feat more powerfully.
Rhymed Verse versus Blank Verse
Heroic couplet was used as a form of poetry in the Restoration Age because this form was
mastered by John Dryden. He puts his idea n rhyming through the mouth of Neander while
Crites attack on rhyme and pits forwards his idea that Rhyme must not be used din the drama,
it may be utilized in comedy plays as a play is made up dialogues. If rhyme is used in the drama,
then it seems unnatural and thus it is called a rhymed verse or play.
Neander’s Defense
In making attempt to give reply to Crites, favors Rhyme and further says that rhyme makes the
play natural. Therefore, it must be used in the play. Moreover, he states that rhyme is different
from blank verse.
Rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds, occurring at the ends of lines in poem and songs, it is a
tool that brings rhythm to the poems and plays, while a blank verse stand alone, which was first
used by Christopher Marlow and other Elizabethans. So, at last Neander makes comment it
indicates that he favors rhyme.
Views of Neander
He talks about the greatness of Elizabethans. For him, Elizabethans fulfill the drama’s
requirement –the imitation of life. French drama raises perfection but has no soul or emotion s
as it primarily focuses on the plot. For Neander, tragicomedy is the best form of drama because
both sadness and joy run together thus it is closest to life. He believes that subplot enrich the
drama. On the contrary, French drama lacks the subplot which is a soul of drama.

References
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43292341
http://neoenglish.wordpress.com/2010/12/16/critically-comment-on-dr-johnsons-defense-of-
tragi-comedy-in-his-preface-to-shakespeare/