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Top rated 17th century literary criticism books
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Best scholarly edition
John Dryden, Essay of Dramatick Poesie (1668) - Modern Critical Edition
A reliable modern edition of Drydry's seminal 1668 treatise on drama, with extensive introduction and notes.
- Comprehensive notes
- Historical context
- Dense for beginners
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Best classic poetry criticism
Sir William Drummond, The Art of Poetry (1675) - Penguin Classics
Drummond's influential 17th-century guide to poetic theory, presented in an accessible Penguin Classics format.
- Clear translation
- Introductory essay
- Limited commentary
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Best overall criticism collection
John Milton, Areopagitica and Other Critical Writings - Cambridge University Press
A curated volume of Milton's lesser-known critical pamphlets, including the famed Areopagitica, with scholarly apparatus.
- Authoritative text
- Critical essays
- Small print
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Best for early modern prose
Sir Thomas Browne, Literary Reflections - Oxford World's Classics
Browne's assorted essays on literature and rhetoric, offering a 17th-century perspective on taste and criticism.
- Elegant prose
- Rich examples
- Obscure references
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Best for devotional criticism
George Herbert, The Temple (1633) - Critical Edition with Commentary
Herbert's religious poetry is paired with modern criticism that explores its theological and literary dimensions.
- In-depth commentary
- Scholarly authority
- Specialized focus
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Best budget pick
Edward Phillips, The Arte of English Poesie (1656) - Dover Thrift Edition
A reprint of Phillips' early guide to English poetry, valuable for understanding 17th-century critical standards.
- Affordable
- Historical insight
- Sparse notes
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