Otherworldly John Dryden

Reminding readers of John Dryden’s persistent use of occult rhetoric Jack M. Armistead argues that Dryden’s 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 Dryden’s 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 Dryden’s works but also tracks the writer’s attitudes about Providence and the ability of the poet to perceive a hidden design in earthly events.