What is the main theme of Absalom and Achitophel?
His “Absalom and Achitophel” is regarded as not simply a satire, but a poem as Dryden himself calls it “a poem.” The central theme is : Temptation, sin, fall and punishment.
What is the purpose of Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel?
The purpose of Absalom and Achitophel is explicitly political. To be more precise, Dryden sets out to exalt the reign of Charles II and damn his most implacable enemies.
Why am I Scanted by a Niggard birth?
Why am I scanted by a niggard-birth? My soul disclaims the kindred of her earth: And made for empire, whispers me within; Desire of greatness is a god-like sin.
Which political events does the poem Absalom and Achitophel represent?
The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681).
How is Absalom and Achitophel ended?
that the poem is accidentally inconclusive because it projects its ending into the future: “shoud . . . conclude . . . with the Reconcilement of Absalom to David.” These propositions together constitute the legend of the unsuccessful ending of Absalom and Achitophel.
What can you say about the form of Absalom and Achitophel?
The poem “Absalom and Achitophel” uses an aa, bb, cc, etc. rhyme scheme and is set in iambic pentameter. Every two lines rhyme in this poem; for the most part, the rhymes are perfect, as in “begin/sin” or “bore/before,” although the poet also uses near rhyme as in “none/Absalom.”
Who does Achitophel represent?
Dryden’s Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, a Member of Parliament during Dryden’s time and the main supporter of the Exclusion Bill.
Who was Achitophel?
Ahithophel, also spelled Achitophel, in the Old Testament, one of King David’s most trusted advisers. He took a leading part in the revolt of David’s son Absalom, and Ahithophel’s defection was a severe blow to David.
Who is Zimri in Absalom and Achitophel?
In the Bible, Zimri is king of Israel for seven days, but he is no real threat to David or the throne in “Absalom and Achitophel.” Zimri likely represents George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, an English statesman and poet who had disgraced himself in war, organized an unsuccessful plot against the government.
Who does Achitophel stand for?
Achitophel. ä-hit′ō-fel, n. an able but unprincipled counsellor, from the name of David’s sage counsellor who treacherously abetted the rebellion of Absalom.
Who is Absalom in the poem Absalom and Achitophel?
These chapters relate the story of King David’s favourite son Absalom and his false friend Achitophel (Ahithophel), who persuades Absalom to revolt against his father. In his poem, Dryden assigns each figure in the crisis a biblical name; e.g., Absalom is Monmouth, Achitophel is Shaftesbury, and David is Charles II.
What is the meaning of Absalom?
father of peace
a male given name: from a Hebrew word meaning “father of peace.”
What is Absalom and Achitophel poem about?
Absalom and Achitophel. Dryden’s poem tells the story of the first foment by making Monmouth into Absalom, the beloved boy, Charles into David (who also had some philandering), and Shaftesbury into Achitophel. It paints Buckingham, an old enemy of Dryden’s (see The Rehearsal for one example), into Zimri, the unfaithful servant.
What type of satire is Absalom and Achitophel?
Absalom and Achitophel is “generally acknowledged as the finest political satire in the English language”. It is also described as an allegory regarding contemporary political events, and a mock heroic narrative. On the title page, Dryden himself describes it simply as “a poem”.
Did Dryden write Absalom and Achitophel?
-Graham S. In the preface to “Absalom and Achitophel,” John Dryden claims he is merely a historian, but had he originally created the biblical story he recounts in his poem, he would have included the reconciliation of Absalom and his father, King David.
What does Absalom and David represent in the poem?
Absalom and David are thinly veiled metaphors for Charles II of England and his illegitimate son, James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. In the poem, Dryden implies that the real-life story of Charles and Monmouth is not yet over, and there is plenty of time for wisdom and mercy.