yle="font-weight: 400;"> In modern times, the word “rape” has a very strong and painful meaning. But in Pope’s time, it was often used to mean “to seize” or “to steal.” In the poem, no physical violence happens. The “rape” refers to the stealing of Belinda’s lock of hair by the Baron. So, the title literally means “the stealing of a lock of hair.”

Still, Pope deliberately chooses this strong word. He wants to show how upper-class people treat small matters as if they are great crimes. By using such a serious word for such a trivial act, Pope makes the incident look funny and foolish.

A Mock-Epic Title: The title shows that the poem is a mock-epic. In real epics like The Iliad or Paradise Lost, great wars, heroes, and serious events are described. The word “rape” is often connected with tragic stories in classical epics. Pope borrows this epic seriousness but applies it to a very small social quarrel.

The “lock” in the title is only a curl of hair. But Pope treats it like a priceless treasure. This contrast between the grand title and the small incident creates comedy. The title itself prepares the reader to see how Pope will make fun of epic traditions and high society.

Significance of the “Lock”: The “lock” is very important in the poem. It stands for beauty, pride, and vanity. Belinda is very proud of her beauty, especially her hair. Even supernatural sprites guard Belinda’s dress, eyes, and hair. Ariel is the chief Sylph who guards Belinda. Thousands of sprites are always ready to protect Belinda’s lock of hair.

“Swift to the Lock a thousand Sprites repair.”

This epic seriousness makes the situation funny. When the Baron cuts the lock, Belinda feels deeply insulted. For her, it is not a small joke but a serious attack on her honour.

Pope shows that fashionable society values appearance more than character. The fight over a lock of hair shows how shallow and empty their lives are. The title highlights this idea by focusing on the lock as if it were something extremely valuable.

Social Satire in the Title: The title also shows Pope’s satire on upper-class society. The quarrel between Belinda and the Baron grows into a big social issue. Friends take sides. Emotions run high. Umbriel brings sighs and tears from the Queen of Spleen:

“A bag of Sighs, a Phial filled with Tears.”

All this happens because of one lock of hair. By calling this incident “rape,” Pope laughs at society’s habit of exaggerating small problems. He shows that people with easy lives often turn trivial matters into serious conflicts.

Lesson at the End: In the end, Pope uses Belinda’s lock to give us a moral lesson in a playful way. Belinda’s lock of hair does not remain a cause of quarrel. It rises to the sky and becomes a star. 

“This Lock, the Muse shall consecrate to Fame,

And mid'st the Stars inscribe Belinda's Name!”

Pope shows that beauty does not last forever, and people should not fight over small things.

In conclusion, the title “The Rape of the Lock” is highly significant. The title itself tells us that it is a mock-epic poem. The word “rape” adds false seriousness, while the “lock” represents vanity and pride. Through this title, Pope makes fun of fashionable society and its shallow values.