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Definition of Tone
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical, and so on. For instance... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical or mournful, praising or critical... read full definition
The tone of a piece of writing is its general character or attitude, which might be cheerful or depressive, sarcastic or sincere, comical... read full definition
Tone
Explanation and Analysis:
The tone of John Dryden’s 1677 play All For Love is somber and sincere, befitting of its genre as a Restoration tragedy. Part of Dryden’s goal in writing this play was to revive the form of serious drama in English theater. He therefore treats his subject matter with due seriousness.
For the duration of the play, Dryden allows his characters to experience a full spectrum of emotions. Antony rages and weeps—he is both soft and unyielding. Cleopatra, on the other hand, rules and must submit to the rule of others, loves and abandons, manipulates and is manipulated. Ventidius is a loving and devoted friend, a concerned subject, an enraged enemy. Dollabella is jealous and adoring, fickle and steadfast. Octavia is proud and arrogant, a jilted wife and a caring mother, a beloved sister and a shrewd politician. Each character has a reason for their actions, and their motivations are given serious consideration.
This play is a retelling of both historical events and previous great works of English literature (namely Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra), and Dryden is conscious of these facts, even drawing attention to them in his dedication and Prologue. Dryden’s awareness of himself and the place of his play in the literary canon adds to the drama’s sincerity, and this sincerity shows itself in the earnest language used by the characters.
