The Rape of the LockThe Rape of the Lock

Alexander PopeAlexander Pope

Pope and His TimesPope and His Times

Pope suffered Pope suffered prejudices due to his prejudices due to his appearanceappearance Ill health, tuberculosis, Ill health, tuberculosis,

asthma, headaches, asthma, headaches, stunted growth, stunted growth, hunchbackedhunchbacked

Many characterized Many characterized Pope as ill-tempered, Pope as ill-tempered, critical and judgmentalcritical and judgmental

Pope and His TimesPope and His Times

Pope was self-taught “did Pope was self-taught “did nothing but read and write”nothing but read and write”Was friends with Swift and John Was friends with Swift and John Gay (famous poet)Gay (famous poet)By most accounts, Pope was a By most accounts, Pope was a misogynist (so were most other misogynist (so were most other men during the period)men during the period) During Popes time, many believed During Popes time, many believed

that women were only slightly that women were only slightly humanhuman

Whether or not women had souls Whether or not women had souls was a serious topic of conversationwas a serious topic of conversation

Pope and His TimesPope and His Times

During the 18th century, During the 18th century, much traditional thinking much traditional thinking was being challengedwas being challenged

Pope identified the poem Pope identified the poem as a: heroi-comical poemas a: heroi-comical poem Today known as a mock-Today known as a mock-

epic (a form of satire)epic (a form of satire)

Source of the PoemSource of the Poem

Pope based the poem on Pope based the poem on real events between the real events between the noble Petre and Fermor noble Petre and Fermor families (a Petre family families (a Petre family member cut a lock of hair member cut a lock of hair from a Fermor lady)from a Fermor lady) Pope wrote the poem to Pope wrote the poem to

satirize the absurdity and satirize the absurdity and silliness of the feud that silliness of the feud that resulted from the eventresulted from the event

Heroic and Mock Heroic Heroic and Mock Heroic ConventionsConventions

The fateful sea voyageThe fateful sea voyageInvocation of the museInvocation of the museDivision of the poem into “books” or Division of the poem into “books” or “cantos”“cantos”Descriptions of soldiers and preparations Descriptions of soldiers and preparations for battlefor battleDescriptions of heroic deedsDescriptions of heroic deedsParticipation of deities and spirits in the Participation of deities and spirits in the action of the storyaction of the story

Heroic and Mock Heroic Heroic and Mock Heroic ConventionsConventions

Presentation of scenes from the underworldPresentation of scenes from the underworld

High formal diction and languageHigh formal diction and language

Religious or spiritual ritualsReligious or spiritual rituals

Ascension of the dead hero into the heavensAscension of the dead hero into the heavens

Story begins in Story begins in medias resmedias res

While extended similes in an epic elevate the While extended similes in an epic elevate the story—in a mock epic they trivialize the elements story—in a mock epic they trivialize the elements of the storyof the story

Poetic Form, Figures of Speech, Poetic Form, Figures of Speech, and Verseand Verse

The Rape of the Lock is written in heroic The Rape of the Lock is written in heroic couplets (Chaucer’s poetic form)couplets (Chaucer’s poetic form) Pairs of rhyming lines in iambic pentameterPairs of rhyming lines in iambic pentameter

The main figure of speech is hyperboleThe main figure of speech is hyperbole Pope exaggerates for ridicule and humorPope exaggerates for ridicule and humor

Other figures of speech include: Other figures of speech include: personification, anaphora, alliteration, and personification, anaphora, alliteration, and extended similes, antithesisextended similes, antithesis

Antithesis and AnaphoraAntithesis and AnaphoraAntithesis: Placing side by side, and in Antithesis: Placing side by side, and in similar grammatical structures, strongly similar grammatical structures, strongly contrasting words, clauses sentences, or contrasting words, clauses sentences, or ideasideas Ex: Accidentally on purpose. Agree to Ex: Accidentally on purpose. Agree to

disagree.disagree.

Anaphora: The repetition of sequences of Anaphora: The repetition of sequences of words at the beginning of neighboring words at the beginning of neighboring clauses—lending emphasisclauses—lending emphasis Ex: In time we will move. In time we will Ex: In time we will move. In time we will

advance and in time we will prevail.advance and in time we will prevail.

Question for ThoughtQuestion for Thought

Although mock-heroic Although mock-heroic poems are fun and poems are fun and humorous, they also humorous, they also serve as significant serve as significant commentary on human commentary on human behaviors, tendencies, behaviors, tendencies, flaws and moreflaws and more What do you think is the What do you think is the

central message of the central message of the story?story?

A Few Allusions to Paradise LostA Few Allusions to Paradise Lost

Paradise LostParadise Lost Satan whispers a Satan whispers a

dream in Eve’s eardream in Eve’s ear Eve fixates on her Eve fixates on her

image in a pool of image in a pool of waterwater

Satan suffers in a lake Satan suffers in a lake of burning sulfurof burning sulfur

The Rape of the LockThe Rape of the Lock Ariel whispers to Ariel whispers to

Belinda about pride Belinda about pride and vanityand vanity

Belinda worships her Belinda worships her own reflection in a own reflection in a mirrormirror

Ariel threatens the Ariel threatens the sylphs with burning sylphs with burning chocolatechocolate

Questions for DiscussionQuestions for Discussion

1.1. Select two mock-heroic elements from Select two mock-heroic elements from the poem and explain their significancethe poem and explain their significance

2.2. Find one example of irony in the poem Find one example of irony in the poem and explain its purpose and significanceand explain its purpose and significance

3.3. Discuss the distinctive elements of Discuss the distinctive elements of Pope’s writing stylePope’s writing style

4.4. Find two similes or metaphors and Find two similes or metaphors and explain how they work well as mock-explain how they work well as mock-heroic elementsheroic elements

Summary

Canto 1

Belinda awakes from sleeping

The dream of Belinda

Belinda prepares for the day’s social activities

Canto 2The travel on the Thames riverThe prayer of the young adventurer Baron

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

The game of cards—ombre

The rape of the lock

Canto 4

Belinda’s Ill-Natured mood and Affection after the loss of the lock

Umbriel, the earthy gnome, descends to the Cave of Spleen

Thalestris’ speech rouses the rage of Belinda

Sir Plume bids in vain the payment of the lock

Canto 5

Clarissa’s speech

The battle of belles and beaux

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

Invoke the aid of the muse: Calliope

“ Say what strange motive, Goddess! Could compel” (1. 7)

Begin with in medias res

No

Gods are involved

Spirits (Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs…) are involved

“Among the gods, who brought this quarrel on?” (Iliad)

1 What dire offense from amorous causes springs,

What mighty contests rise from trivial things,

…

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?

The Epic Question

Homeric Simile

“Achilles, fast in battle as a lion.”

“Hera, whose arms are white as ivory.”

“Quick as her eyes” (2. 10), “Bright as the sun” (2. 13),

“Shrink his thin essence like a riveled flower” (2. 132),

“And falls like thunder on the prostrate Ace” (3. 98).

Homeric Epithet

“man-killer Hector”

“sharp-eyed Hermes”

“Bolt-hurling Zeus”

“Fair nymphs, and well-dress'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