Dryden's "All for Love"

Dryden's "All for Love" is a poetic tragedy that explores the destructive nature of intense passion and love. It tells the story of the Roman Emperor Augustus and his love for the freedwoman, Evadne, highlighting how love can lead to sacrifice, internal conflict, and moral dilemmas. The play emphasizes the themes of loyalty, honor, and the tragic consequences of overwhelming desire. Ultimately, it suggests that love’s strength can both elevate and ruin individuals, portraying its complex, often conflicting influence on human behavior through poetic dialogue and dramatic tension.