The Rape of the Lock
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Transcript of The Rape of the Lock
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