Final answer:
In 'Mac Flecknoe,' John Dryden employs satire to comically critique Thomas Shadwell and metaphor to compare Shadwell to a mock-sovereign of poor literature, both of which amplify the poem's satirical tone and deepen the criticism.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the poem Mac Flecknoe by John Dryden, two significant literary devices used are satire and metaphor. Satire is a key element, as Dryden employs it to comically mock and critique the poet Thomas Shadwell. Through this technique, he exaggerates Shadwell's literary incompetence to the point of absurdity, humorously suggesting that Shadwell is a suitable successor to the throne of dullness.
This satirical angle is crucial to the poem's tone and purpose, which is to deride a literary rival. On the other hand, the use of metaphor is highly prevalent throughout the poem. The coronation of Shadwell as 'King of Nonsense' is a metaphorical device Dryden exploits to directly compare Shadwell to the vacuous and superficial qualities of a mock-sovereign of poor literature. This metaphor extends through the delineation of his 'realms' of bad poetry and prose, deepening the satirical impact on the reader and elevating Dryden's criticism of Shadwell's work.