Otherworldly John Dryden: Occult Rhetoric in His Poems and Plays

Reminding readers of John Drydens persistent use of occult rhetoric, Jack M. Armistead argues that Drydens otherworldliness involves more than Christian apologetics, biblical typology, or intermittent borrowings from the supernatural materials in classical literature. Rather, it manifests throughout his career in occult materials drawn from many traditions, including but going well beyond the standard classical and Christian ones. As Armistead shows, Drydens practice of juxtaposing pre- and post-scientific treatments of such occult topics as alchemy, astrology, and demonology pervades many of his poems and plays. In its engagement with works such as The Indian Queen, Annus Mirabilis, All for Love, and Absalom and Achitophel, among many others, Otherworldly John Dryden not only enhances our understanding of Drydens works, but also tracks the writers attitudes about Providence and the ability of the poet to perceive a hidden design in earthly events. See more