Gender, theatre, and the origins of criticism

Description:

"In Gender, Theatre and the Origins of Criticism, Marcie Frank explores the theoretical and literary legacy of John Dryden to a number of prominent women writers of the time. Frank examines the pre-eminence of gender, sexuality and the theatre in Dryden's critical texts that are predominantly rewritings of the work of his own literary precursors - Ben Jonson, Shakespeare and Milton. She proposes that Dryden develops a native literary tradition that is passed on as an inheritance to his heirs - Aphra Behn, Catharine Trotter, and Delarivier Manley - as well as their male contemporaries. Frank describes the development of criticism in the transition from a court-sponsored theatrical culture to one oriented towards a consuming public, with very different attitudes to gender and sexuality. This study also sets out to trace the historical origins of certain aspects of current criticism - the practices of paraphrase, critical self-consciousness and performativity."--BOOK JACKET.

subjects: Criticism,  English drama,  English literature,  History,  History and criticism,  Influence,  Knowledge,  Literature,  Sex in literature,  Sex role in literature,  Theory,  Dryden, john, 1631-1700,  Criticism, great britain,  English literature, history and criticism

People: John Dryden (1631-1700),  Manley Mrs. (1663-1724)

Places: Great Britain

Times: 17th century,  18th century