In class this morning

We'll discuss what people have had to say and ask about the first section of the Essay of Dramatic Poesy.

For next time

Because it divides pretty neatly, and because students reading it often lose track of who's talking, I've divided the Essay into five sections:

1. Beginning at "Eugenius was going to continue this discourse, when Lisideius told him it was necessary . . ." Crites argues that the ancient Greek and Roman playwrights were better than the modern playwrights, ending with " . . . whether you consider the bad Plays of our Age, or regard the good ones of the last, both the best and worst of the Modern Poets will equally instruct you to esteem the Ancients."
2. Beginning at "Crites had no sooner left speaking, but Eugenius who waited with some impatience for it, thus began . . . " Eugenius defends the modern playwrights, ending with, " . . . This moderation of Crites, as it was pleasing to all the company, so it put an end to that dispute . . ."
3. Beginning at "If the Question had been stated, replied Lisideius, who had writ best, the French or English forty years ago . . .: Lisideius argues that the French are better playwrights than the English, ending at "Lisideius concluded in this manner; and Neander after a little pause thus answer'd him."
4. Beginning at "Lisideius concluded in this manner; and Neander after a little pause thus answer'd him," Neander defends the English playwrights against the French, ending with "from all his Comedies I shall select The Silent Woman; of which I will make a short Examen, according to those Rules which the French observe."
5. Beginning at "This, my Lord, was the substance of what was then spoke on that occasion,"  Crites and Neander dispute whether rhyme is appropriate for the theatre, ending at "Thus then the second thoughts being usually the best, as receiving the maturest digestion from judgment, and the last and most mature product of those thoughts being artful and labour'd verse, it may well be inferr'd, that verse is a great help to a luxuriant Fancy, and this is what that Argument which you oppos'd was to evince."