Rape of the Lock

Rape of the Lock

Thesis Statement

The poet through his poem tries to achieve a wider objective rather than just attempt to reconcile two families. The purpose is none other than to depict the futile endeavors in which the neoclassical society wastes its time in.

Introduction

The rape of the lock is a widely quoted mock epic that was first published in 1712. The poet despite being just 23 years old at the time of its publication managed to establish his reputation as s successful poet. The poet drew inspiration for the poem from real-life incidents. A beautiful lady named Arabella Fermor had her hairs cut off by one of the acquaintances of Alexander Pope. This lead to a bitter feud between their families and it ensued into a full strife. A friend of Pope named John Caryll asked Pope to depict the situation in a humorous manner which would help the two families to reconcile.

Employing heroic couplet and a satirical approach throughout the poem, the poet sheds light on the futile endeavors that the neoclassical society indulges in, and in doing so mocks at them. This happens to be the main theme of the poem and is significantly illustrated.

Discussion

Pope's work is an outstanding elaboration of epic mock which he uses to ridicule the neoclassical society of the 18th century. The insignificance that the then high-class society exhibited is satirized in a highly exaggerated form using parody. In fact the very inspiration for Pope's writing down this epic poem was driven by real life incident which involved some of the people he knew. The purpose of penning down an actual event into the form of a mock epic was none other but to provide a laughable account of the neoclassical society (Cope, 1957).

A mock epic refers to a poem that portrays trivial matters in a highly exaggerated and applauded version employing the style expressed by famous literary epics. The rape of the lock is a kind of parody that is used for satirical purposes. The petty issue of stolen lock of hairs in real life is portrayed throughout the poem to provide an understanding of the neoclassical society and is also a comment on the behavior of men and women. The epic draws from the characteristics depicted in Iliad and Odyssey (Cohen, 1969).

The theme of the poem is stated in the very opening lines and it hints that the epic would be deliberating on the futility of the society's ways.

"What dire offense from amorous causes springs,

What mighty contests rise from trivial things" (Canto I, lines 1-2).

The theme is brought about clearly and its purpose is to signify the importance of keeping trivial matters as trivial as possible. Therefore, the mocking at neoclassical society is the central focus of this poem.

The poem consists of five cantos and has been written using the heroic couplet verse. Pope had his reasons for employing this approach. The exploitation of heroic couplet is characteristically neoclassic. This is because the ideals of that ...