Here's a breakdown of their contributions:
* William Congreve: He is best known for his comedies, particularly "The Way of the World" (1700), which is considered a masterpiece of the Restoration era. He also wrote poetry and a few tragedies.
* John Dryden: He was a prolific writer who excelled in various genres, including poetry, drama, and literary criticism. He is often considered the "father of English literary criticism" for his influential works like "An Essay of Dramatic Poesy" (1668). His comedies, such as "Marriage à la Mode" (1673), were popular in their time, but he is perhaps best known for his epic poem "Annus Mirabilis" (1667) and his translations of classical works like Virgil's "Aeneid."
Both Congreve and Dryden were key figures in the Restoration era, a period of significant cultural change in England following the English Civil War and the return of the monarchy under Charles II. Their works reflected the wit, satire, and social commentary characteristic of the time.