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Samuel Butler (1612-1680)
Most famous as the author of the burlesque poem Hudibras,
which attacked the Puritans. He was not a major figure in the Restoration
period but he does offer some interesting insights into theatrical attitudes
of the day. 'Upon Critics' is an answer to Rymer's 'Tragedies of the Last
age Consider'd.'
-'Upon Critics'
-'A Play-writer'
Both of these works can be found in The Restoration Stage, ed. John
I. McCullum, Jr, Greenwood Press 1976.
John Dryden (1631-1700)
An introduction to Dryden can be found
on the Playwrights page. These are some of
his major critical essays.
-'An Essay of Dramatic Poesy' 1668
-'Heads of an Answer to Rymer' 1677
-'The Grounds of Criticism in Tragedy' 1679
Thomas Rymer (1641-1713)
A prominent Restoration critic, he was heavily influenced by the
ancients and believed their rules of tragedy should be observed unequivocally.
Rymer attacked Fletcher and Shakespeare most energetically, deciding that
although Shakespeare had a fine pen for comedy, he could not write tragedy.
- 'Tragedies of the Last Age Consider'd' 1677
-'A Short View of Tragedy' 1693
He was a debater, churchman and political activist. His 'Short View' attacked the work of Restoration dramatists, especially Dryden, Congreve, Wycherely, Otway and Vanbrugh . These men, he claimed had sent British drama from bad to worse. Dryden, Congreve and Vanbrugh defended themselves, but Collier had the final word.
-'A Short View of the Immorality and Profanencess of the English Stage' 1698
George
Farquhar (1677-1707)
An introduction
to Farquhar can be found on the
Playwrights page.
-'A Discourse Upon Comedy' 1702