“Pope is the standout poet of the eighteenth century. A master of form and register, a maestro of metre, and a doyden of wit, Pope will remain among the most read and most imitated writers in the English language” (Budge 2009, 54.)
Alexander Pope is often referred to as one of the greatest critics of all times. He is a great author and his poems are commonly known in the world of Literature. His satirical style is brilliant and exemplified in many of his poems.
In the following, I am going to analyze the Augustan poem “The Rape of the Lock”, specifically in terms of its satirical elements. Therefore, I want to start with a look at a few definitions of the Satire. Next, I will go into more detail by defining the Augustan Satire as a subgenre of Satire. After validating these two term’s definitions, there will be the actual analysis. Due to limitations of space, however, I cannot consider all of the satirical elements of the poem, and have decided to put my main focus on the role of Belinda.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- The Satire
- Defining the term Satire – Motives and Features
- The Mock-Heroic in Augustan Satire
- The Rape of the Lock
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text aims to analyze the satirical elements present in Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" through the lens of Augustan satire. The analysis focuses on the character of Belinda and her role within the poem.
- Definition and characteristics of satire
- The mock-heroic as a subgenre of Augustan satire
- The satirical elements of "The Rape of the Lock"
- The character of Belinda and her role in the poem
- The Augustan Age and its impact on satire
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter explores the definition of satire by comparing different literary dictionaries and their interpretations. It emphasizes that satire, while often understood intuitively, requires a nuanced understanding of its various features and motives. This chapter highlights the importance of satire's tone and its ability to encompass a range of emotions and criticisms.
The second chapter delves into the specific characteristics of Augustan satire, a genre that flourished during the early 18th century. It introduces key figures like Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Johnson and emphasizes their influence on the development of this satirical mode. The chapter also examines the "mock-heroic" subgenre, which uses humor and incongruity to critique societal values and behaviors.
The third chapter, "The Rape of the Lock," focuses on the poem itself, specifically examining the character of Belinda. The author draws upon historical context, explaining the real-life incident that inspired the poem, and highlights Pope's intention to resolve a family feud through his satirical work.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The core keywords and focus topics of this text include Augustan satire, mock-heroic, Alexander Pope, "The Rape of the Lock," Belinda, societal values, satire's purpose, and literary analysis.
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- Nadja Groß (Autor:in), 2012, The Augustan Satire: exemplified on Alexander Pope’s "The Rape of the Lock", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/211222
