Dryden's influence on later poets is primarily through which feature of his verse?

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Multiple Choice

Dryden's influence on later poets is primarily through which feature of his verse?

Explanation:
Dryden’s lasting impact comes from his mastery of rhymed, metrical verse, especially the heroic couplet. He popularized and refined writing in paired rhymes within iambic pentameter, giving verse a sharp, balanced pace that could convey clear argument and satire. This disciplined, polished form became the standard for much of 18th‑century poetry, shaping how later poets crafted their lines. Free verse lacks regular meter, blank verse was already established earlier and not his signature, and experimental typography isn’t what he’s known for guiding later poets toward. The result is a durable model for form and rhythm that influenced a wide range of subsequent poets.

Dryden’s lasting impact comes from his mastery of rhymed, metrical verse, especially the heroic couplet. He popularized and refined writing in paired rhymes within iambic pentameter, giving verse a sharp, balanced pace that could convey clear argument and satire. This disciplined, polished form became the standard for much of 18th‑century poetry, shaping how later poets crafted their lines. Free verse lacks regular meter, blank verse was already established earlier and not his signature, and experimental typography isn’t what he’s known for guiding later poets toward. The result is a durable model for form and rhythm that influenced a wide range of subsequent poets.

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