the mind. English playwrights like Shakespeare show deep and living emotions, while French writers focus too much on rules. Dryden suggests that French plays feel like statues, while English plays feel like living people. Dryden writes about French plays:

“They are indeed the Beauties of a Statue, but not of a Man.”

English Drama Has Greater Freedom and Variety: Another important point is freedom. English drama does not strictly follow the three unities of time, place, and action. Because of this freedom, English plays can show many events, places, and characters. This makes English plays richer and more exciting.

French plays strictly follow these rules, which makes them limited and repetitive. Dryden admits that rules bring order. But he believes that too much order kills imagination. English drama, by breaking rules, becomes more natural and powerful. Dryden supports English liberty when he says drama should please the audience more than follow rigid laws. He clearly states that the purpose of drama is—

“For the delight and benefit of mankind.”

English Characters Are More Natural and Human: Dryden strongly praises English characterization. English dramatists present mixed characters, who have both good and bad qualities. These characters behave like real human beings.

French characters are too perfect and too polite. They speak carefully and act nobly all the time. Because of this, they feel artificial. Dryden believes drama should reflect real life, not ideal behavior. He says, drama should give us:

“A just and lively Image of human nature.”

English Language and Dialogue Are More Powerful: Dryden also compares the language of both dramas. He says English dialogue is bold, energetic, and expressive, while French dialogue is smooth but weak. English dramatists use strong words and powerful expressions that stay in the audience’s mind.

French plays focus more on elegance than force. Dryden believes drama needs strength of expression to match strong emotions.

English Drama Pleases the Audience More: Dryden believes the final judge of drama is the audience. English plays are popular because they entertain, move, and excite people. French plays may be correct, but they often fail to fully please. He clearly supports English drama when he says that the end of drama is delight and instruction, and English drama achieves this better.

In conclusion, Dryden establishes the superiority of English plays by comparing them with French plays in a fair and logical way. He proves that English drama is richer in passion, freer in structure, more natural in character, and stronger in language. French drama is neat and rule-bound, but English drama is alive and powerful. Through this comparative study, Dryden shows that English plays better represent human life and emotions, which is the true goal of drama.