John Dryden was a literary giant of the seventeenth century, and his many works reflect his mastery of the English language and his ability to evoke powerful emotions in his readers In his poems, Dryden displays an elevated style of language that sets him apart from many of his contemporaries One aspect of Dryden’s unique style is his use of rhetorical devices, which he employs to great effect in his “complaint” poems.
In literary terms, a “complaint” poem is a type of poetry in which the poet laments or bemoans a particular situation or condition Dryden wrote several such poems, including “Mac Flecknoe”, “Annus Mirabilis”, and “Absalom and Achitophel” In these works, he employs a variety of rhetorical devices to convey his message and create a powerful emotional impact on his readers.
One of the most notable rhetorical devices that Dryden employs in his complaints is hyperbole Hyperbole refers to the use of exaggerated language to make a point In “Mac Flecknoe”, for example, Dryden describes the titular character as “a dunce beyond a doubt” This hyperbolic description not only emphasizes the depth of Dryden’s disdain for Mac Flecknoe, but also underscores the poet’s belief in his own superiority By exaggerating Mac Flecknoe’s flaws, Dryden is able to elevate himself in comparison.
Another rhetorical device that Dryden uses extensively in his complaints is metaphor A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable In “Annus Mirabilis”, Dryden uses several metaphors to describe the devastation wrought by the Dutch fleet on the English navy For example, he describes the Dutch ships as “huge leviathans” and “mound[s] of water” These metaphors not only make the scenes vivid and memorable, but also evoke a sense of terror and awe in the reader.
A third rhetorical device that Dryden employs in his complaints is irony Irony refers to the use of language in which the intended meaning is different from the literal meaning In “Absalom and Achitophel”, for example, Dryden uses irony to great effect in his portrayal of the eponymous characters Achitophel, who plots to overthrow King David, is described as “the false Achitophel” and “the treason’s god” Drydens complaints. Similarly, Absalom, who rebels against his father, is portrayed as “the charming Absalom” These descriptions are ironic because they emphasize the characters’ flaws and vices while presenting them in a positive light.
Dryden’s use of rhetorical devices in his complaints serves several purposes First, they help to make his poetry more memorable and impactful By using hyperbole, metaphor, and irony, Dryden is able to create vivid, emotional scenes that stick in the reader’s mind long after they have finished reading Second, these devices also help to convey Dryden’s own belief in his abilities as a poet By depicting himself as superior to his rivals and detractors, he reinforces his own authority and position within the literary world.
However, while Dryden’s use of rhetorical devices is certainly effective, it can also be seen as a weakness Some critics have argued that Dryden’s complaints rely too heavily on flashy language and clever wordplay at the expense of deeper meaning and substance In some cases, it seems as though the rhetorical devices are used primarily for their own sake, rather than to advance a larger argument or idea.
Despite these criticisms, however, Dryden’s complaints remain powerful examples of seventeenth-century poetry They showcase Dryden’s immense skill as a writer and his ability to manipulate language to his own ends Whether one sees his use of rhetorical devices as a strength or a weakness, there is no denying the impact that his poetry continues to have on readers today.
In conclusion, John Dryden’s complaints are notable for their use of rhetorical devices such as hyperbole, metaphor, and irony These devices help to make his poetry more memorable and impactful and reinforce his own authority and position within the literary world While some critics have argued that these devices can be a weakness, there is no denying the power and elegance of Dryden’s writing His complaints remain powerful examples of seventeenth-century poetry and continue to captivate readers today