THE WOMEN IMAGE IN THREE OF JOHN DRYDEN'S HEROIC PLAYS: THE INDIAN QUEEN, THE INDIAN EMPEROR AND AURENG-ZEBE.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Restoration (1660-1700) was one of the most significant periods in the history of England. It included the reign of three monarchs Charles II (1660-1685), James II (1685-1688) and William of Orange (1689-1702), who ruled together with his wife, Mary. Many changes took place during this period that set England at the gate of modernism. The old, agricultural way of life gave way to a new, industrial one. As a consequence, the position of women was affected, both in society and in drama. For the first time in England, women actresses appeared on stage. John Dryden (1631-1700) was the most significant literary figure during that time. He was regarded as the spokesman of his age. In his writings he reflected the ideas, beliefs and events of his time. One of his most important achievements in literature was the development of a new form in drama, the “heroic tragedy”. Heroic tragedy is concerned with the love between the hero and heroine, who are both of noble ranks. They are put in a difficult situation, in which their passionate love conflicts with the demands of honour and patriotic duty. The aim of this study is to shed the light on the role of women in three of Dryden’s heroic plays: The Indian Queen (1664), The Indian Emperor (1665) and Aureng-Zebe (1675). Chapter one gives a historical background of the age and the changes that it has brought about, especially in the morality and beliefs of people. Chapter two shows the different views and attitudes held towards women during the Restoration, and the effects that they have brought about on the position of women both in society and theatre. Chapter three contains an analysis of the women characters in The Indian Queen. Chapter four gives an analysis of the women characters in The Indian Emperor. Finally, chapter five gives an analysis of the women characters in Aureng-zebe. The conclusion sums up the findings of the study