Traces John Dryden's theory of comedy through two main stages of development, 1663-75 and 1675-1700. In the first stage, Dryden conceives of ideal comedy as a heightened mixture of Jonsonian humour and Fletcherian love and wit. In the second stage, naturalness and satire become the key principles, and Shakespeare becomes his primary model. Originally published in 1963. The author traces Dryden's theory of comedy through two main stages of development, 1663-75 and 1675-1700. In the first stage, Dryden conceives of ideal comedy as a heightened mixture of Jonsonian humor and Fletcherian love and wit. In the second stage, naturalness and satire become the key principles, and Shakespeare becomes his primary model.

Originally published in 1963.

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