THE RAPE OF THE LOCK: A BRIEF STUDY
Alexander Pope is one of the greatest
poets of England. The Rape of the Lock is his masterpiece. It is one of
the best compositions of English language. It is popular for its theme and
style. In short, this composition is a classic of drawing room society.
Pope was a great satirist. He used
poetry as a great instrument of moral improvement. The Rape of the Lock
is completely satirical. As a satirist Pope directed his satire against all
classes of people. He boldly satirized corruption in high places. He never
spared those who indulged in corruption, vices and evils.
Pope used mock epic style to make his satire
powerful. The Rape of the Lock is its best example. As we know that the
theme of this poem is the cutting of a lock of a lady’s hair. It is a trivial
theme, no doubt. There is nothing heroic in it. But Pope has given this trivial
theme the dignity and exaltation and epic treatment. To present this trivial
theme Pope has employed nearly all the important elements of epic. Here we find
invocation, episodes, supernatural machinery and grand style.
Pope’s The Rape of the Lock is
an excellent and amazing satire on the social life of the 18th
century England. In this mock heroic poem the satirist has vehemently satirized
feminine frivolity. He has remarked that, ‘Every woman at heart is a rake.’ He
has showed that all women are frivolous.
Their chief interest is in love-
making. Not only has this but Pope emphatically mocked at the fashion,
frivolities and gaieties of women of his time. He has exposed the trivialities
of fashionable life and the vagaries of the feminine mind. Through the
character of Belinda, Arabella Fermor, Pope has criticized the whole of the
female sex.
In The Rape of the Lock Pope
vehemently satirizes the fashionable life of the ladies of his age. Everywhere
the emptiness is visible beneath the outward splendour. Like Belinda the
fashionable ladies of Pope’s age lay in their beds till late in the day. Lap
dogs were their favourites. These lap dogs lay with their mistress in their
beds. These ladies were fond of cosmetics. They visited fashionable spots and
indulged in dance, music and love making. Tea and coffee were their favourite
drinks. In short, coquetry was an important part of their lives.
Pope has not spared even the
fashionable men of this age. Chivalry was dead. They attempted to win by fair
or foul means. Baron’s act of cutting Belinda’s lock of hair is an example. The
men were fops with no brains. They took interest in chasing, love making,
drinking and gambling.
Thus The Rape of the Lock is an excellent piece of work by a giant literary figure. It presents a faithful but satirical picture of the social life of the 18th century England. The mock-epic style has made this poem immortal.
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