The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope
The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope
About Alexander Pope ※Born in a Catholic family Suffered from prejudices Educated in Twyford
About Alexander Pope ※Moved to Binfield in 1700 Self-taught: “did nothing but read and write” Suffered from ill health: tuberculosis, asthma, and headaches
About Alexander Pope ※Moved to Binfield in 1700 Humpbacked and deformed
About Alexander Pope ※Published An Essay on Criticism in 1711 First striking success as a poet ※ Made friends with Jonathan Swift and John Gay
About Alexander Pope ※Published an early version of “The Rape of the Lock” in 1712 (two cantos) A funny battle between sexes and follies of a young lady
About Alexander Pope ※ Expanded “The Rape of the Lock” in 1714 (five cantos) A quarrel between two families ◎ Characters: Lord Petre : Baron Miss Arabella Fermor: Belinda
About Alexander Pope ◎Background: John Caryll’s suggestion to “pour poetic oils on these troubled waters” or Hope that “a little laughter might serve to soothe ruffled tempers. ” ◎ Pope’s purpose: Do not worry about trivial things!
About Alexander Pope ※Translated Iliad and Odyssey into English The first man to prove “Literature can raise writers. ”
About Alexander Pope ※Published The Dunciad in 1728 Became professional satirist “Sleepless themselves to give their readers sleep”
About Alexander Pope ※ Died on May 30, 1744 The “Age of Pope” ended
Summary
Canto 1 v Belinda awakes from sleeping v The dream of Belinda v Belinda prepares for the day’s social activities
Canto 2 v The travel on the Thames river v The prayer of the young adventurer Baron v The Sylphs’ mission to “tend the Fair”—to protect Belinda Brillante—the earrings Chrispissa—the locks Ariel—Shock, Belinda’s lapdog Momentilla—the watch fifty chosen Sylphs—the petticoat
Canto 3 v. The game of cards—ombre v. The rape of the lock
Canto 4 v. Belinda’s Ill-Natured mood and Affection after the loss of the lock v. Umbriel, the earthy gnome, descends to the Cave of Spleen v. Thalestris’ speech rouses the rage of Belinda v. Sir Plume bids in vain the payment of the lock
Canto 5 v. Clarissa’s speech v. The battle of belles and beaux v. The lock rises to the heaven and becomes a star
Writing Style Epic Mock epic Structure
Epic, the Characteristics A long narrative poem Elevated, grand style Great heroes and heroines The setting is vast in geographical range Supernatural power
Epic Conventions The theme is usually the adventure of a hero or a war. Invocate the Muse’s aid. (Calliope) Ask epic question(s). Begin with in medias res. Use epithets and similes. Gods’ interference in human affairs.
Mock Epic A work designed to ridicule attitudes, style, or subject matter by handling either an elevated subject in a trivial manner or a low subject with mock dignity (Karl 30). Renders a trivial subject ridiculous by treating it with the elaborate (Karl 31). Compare small things with something great.
Epic/ Mock Epic Traditional Epic The Rape of the Lock “ Say what strange Invoke the aid of the motive, Goddess! Could muse: Calliope compel” (1. 7) Begin with in medias No res Gods are involved Spirits (Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs…) are involved
The Epic Question 1 What dire offense from amorous causes springs, What mighty contests rise from trivial things, … “Among the gods, who brought this quarrel on? ” (Iliad) 7 Say what strange motive, Goddess! Could compel A well-bred lord to assault a gentle belle? Oh, say what stranger cause, yet unexplored, Could make a gentle belle reject a lord? In tasks so bold can little men engage, And in soft bosoms dwells such mighty rage?
Homeric Simile “Achilles, fast in battle as a lion. ” “Quick as her eyes” (2. 10), “Bright as the sun” (2. 13), “Hera, whose “Shrink his thin essence like arms are white as a riveled flower” (2. 132), ivory. ” “And falls like thunder on the prostrate Ace” (3. 98).
Homeric Epithet “man-killer Hector” “sharp-eyed Hermes” “Bolt-hurling Zeus” “Fair nymphs, and welldress'd youths around her shone” (2. 5) “The long-contended honours of her head” (4. 140) “Why round our coaches crowd the white-glov'd beaux? ” (5. 13).
Structure Heroic couplet Rhymed in every two lines. Iambic pentameter Ten syllables in each line Alternate with stressed and unstressed syllables
Mock Epic Journey to the underworld The Cave of Spleen (ill nature of female hypochondriacs) (4. 1) Sacrifice offering to gods before an important war or journey Baron sacrifices his former love-token. (2. 35)
Mock Epic Battle Cliches, frowns and angry glances, snuff and bodkin. “So spoke the dame, “ (5. 35). The card game (Ombre). Rape of the female chastity Rape of a lock of hair
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