Thinking Activity ( Absalom and Achitophel) by John Dryden
" Absalom & Achitophel"
" Thinking Activity "
Hello readers! Here, I am going to present my views on John Dryden's poem - "Absalom & Achitophel. " This blog is inspired by Dr. Dilip sir barad. In this particular blog I am answering to some alloted questions on the basis of my understanding about this poem. This blog is a part of our thinking activity.
About John Dryden :-
John Dryden ( 1631 - 1700) was an English poet, literary critic, translator and playwright who was appointed England's first poet laureate in 1668. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the period came to be known in literary circles as the Age of Dryden. Romanticist writer - sir Walter Scott called him " Glorious John." Dryden - the poet is best known today as a satirist. John Dryden also considered as the " Father of English criticism. "
" Absalom & Achitophel :-
" Absalom and Achitophel " is a satirical poem written by John Dryden. It is generally acknowledged as the finest political satire in the English language. John Dryden has written this poem in heroic couplet. This poem first published in the year - 1681. It is also describe as an allegory regarding contemporary political events, and a mock heroic narrative. This poem is a literature of Restoration era / period.
In this poem two events were presented.
1. The Exclusion Bill / crisis
2. The Popish plot
This poem written in Iambic pentameter. It has AABB rhyming scheme. This poem is narrated by an Omniscient narrator.
" Omniscient narrator means third person narration who knows what is happening at all points of the story at all times. This narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters in the story. "
Here I am presenting two videos about this poem. Watch this videos for your better understanding about " Absalom and Achitophel. " So that it will help you further to understand my answers easily.
Introduction of the poem by John Dryden.
Character study of the poem.
Question 1:- What is satire? Is ' Absalom and Achitophel ' a political satire? Give your logical reasons.
Answer :- To answer this particular question, First we have to understand about the definition of satire.
Satire means - "A way of criticizing people or ideas in a humours way, in order to make a political point, or a piece of writing that uses this style."
John Dryden states that ;
" The true end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction. "
" John Dryden was a great exponent of satire. "
Literary characteristics of satire :-
1. Literary form of Expression.
2. Disgust at the ugly and Foolishness.
3. Humour
4. A sincere desire to correct them.
5. To correct or reform.
" Aim of satire :-"
The satire can be written on any topic because its main ' aim to reform the Follies and vices in our society. ' The satire of John Dryden and Alexander pope was more personal for it was an age of political controversies. Literature of that time was closely associated to Politics. As earlier I have mentioned that ' Absalom and Achitophel ' is a political satire. While sir was talking about satire, he told one thing to us that I want to mention here;
" Satire is good if only it is against power. "
" Absalom and Achitophel as a political satire :- "
As we all know that John Dryden's Poem - ' Absalom and Achitophel considered as the finest Political satire in English language. But, Let us try to understand with some logical reasons that how it is a political satire?
During this Period, there were several political parties in England. Among them Whig and Tory were common. Whig was protestant and against the king. Tory was Catholic and supporter of king. As the relation between these two parties was not good. So, when they expressed anything through their writing for opposite party they used Satire. As a Poet - John Dryden used Satire in his poem in a good way.
John Dryden wrote this poem on king's demand. Through this poem, Dryden lampooned means - " Publicly criticize something or someone by using humour and sarcasm ". the whigs and Earl of Shaftesbury. However he didn't use harsh criticism for James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. This poem veils it's political satire under the transparent disguise of a Biblical story. Also we can say that this poem perfectly depicts the existing crisis and political issues of the modern or contemporary society.
Absalom was Persuaded by Achitophel to rebel against his Father.
AbsalomSymbolizes "James Scott ,
Duke of
Monmouth. "
Achitophel Symbolizes " Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. "
John Dryden using the biblical story. He satirizes Achitophel and also those people who were on his side and following him.
Dryden wants to tell the king that Absalom was not feeling guilty because the person who tempted him and who inflamed the will of rebellion in him was Earl of Shaftesbury. - ' Achitophel Or we can say Ahitophel. ' This poem also satirized king but not in harsh words. He criticized the king by saying that " His many slaves and many wives. "
So, From all this points we can conclude that John Dryden 's " Absalom and Achitophel " remains the greatest political satire in English literature. The reason for that it's because of true depiction of the Follies and vices that prevails in our society.
Question 2 :- Write a note on " Temptation" scene in John Dryden's poem Absalom and Achitophel.
Answer :- In Dryden's poem we can understand that Absalom - the illegitimate son of king was prompted and tempted by Achitophel to fight for the throne and take over the throne from king David, Who is Absalom's father. With studied Flattery and art Achitophel begins a long temptation speech to seduce Absalom to this rebellious cause.
This temptation scene even resembles in John Milton's " Paradise Lost. " We can compare the character of Achitophel with the Satan of milton's paradise lost. Here, In our present poem - Achitophel who is allegorically Anthony Ashley Cooper tempts Absalom to take over the throne from his father, so that king David does not give the throne to king James, who is king David's brother.
He exaggerated the qualities of Absalom by saying that ;
" The young - mens vision, and the old mens dream! "
Thee, saviour, Thee, the nations - vows confess. "
He compares Absalom with God. Achitophel makes Absalom blind for power and that is why he rebels against his father. Absalom's lust for power and disobedience towards his father brings his fall. His innocence is lost because he was tempted by Achitophel. It was no one but only Achitophel who urges Absalom to ;
" Commit a pleasing rape upon the crown. "
We can also understand that the main Or central theme of the poem is :- ' Temptation, Sin, Fall and Punishment.'
Question 3 :- Write a detailed note on the character sketch of King David.
Answer :- As we all know that Characters are very much important. and we have to remember as well. Here, In this poem John Dryden has depicted all the major and minor characters very well. First we will see here the name of the characters and their Allegorical presentation by John Dryden in this poem.
Detailed Character Sketch Of king David :-
The third king of Israel. David is a merciful and kind king who does not have a male heir to inherit the throne. As such, the crown will ascend down " a Collateral line" after David's death to his brother. As Johm Dryden mentioned in the poem that " his many wives and many Slaves. " So, it is very Obvious that he also has several illegitimate sons. But king David loves absalom the most and he became king David's Favourite son. He gives absalom everything that he wants.
By the time, however David's dishonest Counselor Achitophel begins to stir up resentment for David and encourages his son Absalom to rise up against his own father to ensure the thing that David's brother who was King James will not ascend the throne. Both Absalom and Achitophel confuse David's mild nature for Weakness.
King David is one of the important character in John Dryden's poem - " Absalom and Achitophel. " Dryden does not depict as king David perfect. On the Contrary, Dryden is Critical of charles 's leniency and even pokes fun at his rumored promiscuity. But, Dryden nevertheless implies that king Charles has been chosen by God to be the king of England, end that right can not be appropriated by Parliament of the people.
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