The Rape of the Lock

Drama | Alexander Pope

 Comment on the Opening of “The Rape of the Lock.”

Premium

Comment on the opening of The Rape of the Lock The poem The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope - begins in a funny and serious way at the same time It uses big epic style to tell a small story The poet mixes love and war gods and games beauty and pride He starts with high language but uses it to talk about simple silly things Mock Epic Style Epic poets usually begin their poems by asking the Muse for help But in this poem Pope starts in a different way He does not ask a goddess Instead he calls on his friend John Caryll This new and funny way of beginning the poem is shown in the line I sing This verse to Caryl Muse is due This line shows Pope uses an unusual and humorous beginning for his mock-epic poem Dream from a Spirit Belinda has

a strange dream It comes from Ariel It is her guardian sylph Sylphs are air spirits They protect proud and pretty girls In the dream a shining young man speaks He says many spirits guard her beauty He warns her to be careful that day He tells her Beware of all but most beware of Man Role of the Sylphs The Sylphs are funny and magical They protect girls like Belinda from shame and loss of honor Pope uses them to show how society trains girls to care more about looks than morals These spirits are like fake gods just like the fake values of Belinda s world In conclusion the beginning of the poem sets the tone It is funny serious and full of irony Pope uses the epic style to show the foolishness of rich people He also brings in magic and dreams to make it more interesting

Continue Reading

Sign in and subscribe to unlock the full content