The Intellectual Milieu of John Dryden: Studies in Some Aspects of Seventeenth-Century Thought

Description

This book investigates the relationship between the 17th-century English poet John Dryden and the intellectual milieu of his time. The author argues that Dryden's thought was deeply influenced by the skeptical ideas that were prevalent in his day. These ideas, which originated in ancient Greek philosophy, held that it is impossible to attain certain knowledge about the world, and that all human knowledge is therefore provisional and uncertain. Dryden's skepticism led him to question many of the traditional beliefs and values of his time, and it also had a profound impact on his literary work. The author explores the ways in which skepticism shaped Dryden's poetry and prose, and he shows how Dryden's skeptical outlook helped him to create a body of work that is both intellectually challenging and aesthetically pleasing. This book offers a new and illuminating perspective on one of the most important figures in English literature, and it sheds light on the complex intellectual and cultural forces that shaped the early modern world.