Mac Flecknoe

During his lifetime, John Dryden (1631-1700) was an esteemed poet, literary critic, and playwright. His influence was so large that the literary period after the Restoration of Charles II is sometimes called the “Age of Dryden.” Dryden’s literary abilities were recognized by the Stuart Monarchy in 1668 when he was made England’s first Poet Laureate. In addition to his role as Poet Laureate, Dryden is best remembered for his refinement of English verse, his development of the critical preface, and his satires.

“Mac Flecknoe” is Dryden’s earliest satire. It was completed by 1679 but only circulated privately until published against Dryden’s will in 1682. The mock-heroic is a direct attack on Thomas Shadwell, one of Dryden’s contemporaries. Dryden, who strove to develop English verse, had little patience for what he considered second-rate poetry, including Shadwell’s verse. Mac Flecknoe positions Shadwell as the son of Richard Flecknoe (thus the title “Mac Flecknoe,” or Son of Flecknoe), an earlier poet known for his mediocre and predictable verse. The poem shows the coronation of Shadwell, who succeeds Flecknoe as king of nonsensical and dull verse.

Along with “Absalom and Achitophel” (1681), “Mac Flecknoe” solidified Dryden’s reputation as a talented poet and satirist.