This Companion provides a fresh look at Dryden's work in the context of his time.

Chronology; Part I. Pleasures of the Imagination: 1. Composing a literary life: introduction Steven N. Zwicker; 2. Dryden and the theatrical imagination Stuart Sherman; 3. Dryden and the energies of satire Ronald Paulson; 4. Dryden and the imperial imagination Laura Brown; 5. Dryden and the invention of Augustan culture Paul Davis; 6. Dryden's triplets Christopher Ricks; Part II. A Literary Life in Restoration England: 7. Dryden's London Harold Love; 8. Dryden's theatre and the passions of politics Paulina Kewes; 9. Dryden's anonymity John Mullan; 10. Dryden and the modes of restoration sociability Katsuhiro Engetsu; Part III: 11. Dryden and patronage John Barnard; 12. Dryden and political allegiance Annabel Patterson; 13. The piety of John Dryden John Spurr; 14. Dryden's 'Fables' and the judgment of art Anne Cotterill; 15. Dryden and the problem of literary modernity: epilogue Steven N. Zwicker.