Dryden as Translator

Dryden’s verse translations, mostly of classical poets and composed in the last two decades of his life, were once thought to have crowned his literary career but are now neglected by students of both English and classical literature. This article offers a defense of Dryden’s achievement as a translator and argues that in his best versions Dryden simultaneously brings his own deepest concerns to bear on his originals and offers uniquely revelatory insights into them. His translations thus combine discerning critical judgement with the engaged creativity of great poetic art.