Mac Flecknoe by John Dryden as a mock heroic poem.pptx

About John Dryden critique on the contemporary rival Thomas Shadwell using mock heroic conventions.

1. Mac Flecknoe as a mock heroic poem

2. About the author John Dryden was an influential English poet, playwright and critic often regarded as one of the leading literary figures of the Restoration period . He was appointed as the first Poet Laureate of England in 1668 and played a crucial role in shaping the literary landscape of his time. He was so dominating person that the whole age was known as Age of Dryden . Walter Scott called him as Glorious John. He left behind almost 30 works for stage as well as a major critical study (An Essayn Dramatic Poesy) and a number of Translations including the work of Virgil. After John Donne and John Milton, John Dryden was greatest English poet of the seventeenth century. His most famous works include All for Love, The Hind and the Panther, Alexander’s Feast, Stanzas on the death of Oliver Cromwell.

3. Mock heroic poem Mock heroic poem uses a very grand, formal, and heroic style of the classical epic poem to describe a common or trivial subject for which this style is not appropriate. It is a typical satire or parody that mocks common classical stereotypes of heroes and heroic literature. Typically, mock-heroic works either put a fool in the role of the hero or exaggerate the heroic qualities to such a point that they become absurd. Historically, the mock-heroic style was popular in 17th-century Italy, and in the post-Restoration and Augustan periods in Great Britain. Famous examples of mock-heroic poems are Mac Flecknoe (1682), Rape of the Lock (1712) and The Dunciad(1728).

4. Characteristics of mock heroic poem Elevated Language and Style. Invocations and Epic Machinery. Exaggeration of Characters and Situations. Irony and Satire. Parody of Classical Epics. Moral or Social Critique.

5. Contextual analysis of mac flecknoe Mac Flecknoe is the first mock heroic poem in English written by John Dryden. The poem is the outcome of a series of disagreements between Thomas Shadwell and Dryden. Shadwell was a Whig while Dryden was an outspoken supporter of the Stuart monarchy. The poem illustrates Shadwell as the heir to a kingdom of poetic dullness, represented by his association with Richard Flecknoe , an earlier poet satirized by Andrew Marvell and disliked by Dryden. The poem is a direct invasion on Thomas Shadwell in a satirical manner. The poem has the quality of grave and pompous irony, expressed in solemn and sounding verse. The design of the poem is remarkably pure, strong and classical. In mock heroics, other formulaic standards are followed, such as the ritual dressing for battle, processions of valor , calling upon the aid of gods, and victory celebrations. John Dryden is the greatest master of mock-heroic poem. In his poem, the fate seems to be the source of inspiration.

6. Mock heroic elements in Mac Flecknoe Epic structure Epic Conventions Applied to a Trivial Subject: The poem begins in the lofty tone of an epic, invoking classical motifs like the selection of a successor to a great ruler. The subject, however, is absurd Thomas Shadwell, an untalented poet, is being crowned as the “King of Nonsense.” The heroic trope of a coronation becomes a farce. Invocation of a High Power In Classical epics like Homer’s Illiad or Virgil’s Aeneid the poet invokes the muse to assist in telling a great story. In Mac Flecknoe, Dryden Humorously invokes the “realm of non sense” instead, where Flecknoe, the king of dullness, is about to pass on his throne to his son, Shadwell The tone and the subject matter are exaggeratedly trivial, mocking the grandiosity of epics .

7. Mock heroic elements in Mac Flecknoe The Hero and His Descent Epic typically feature a hero with remarkable quality, in Mac Flecknoe , Shadwell, ironically portrayed as the “hero” of dullness. His descent is into the world of literary mediocrity, as Flecknoe crowns him King of bad writing.
Example : Flecknoe praises Shadwell’s ability to remain consistently uninspired, this ironic praise mirrors the reverence typically given to epic heroes, but in Mac Flecknoe , It highlights Shadwell mediocrity rather than this greatnesss . Coronation (Hero’s Journey) In a traditional epic, the hero embracks on a journey that tests his virtues. In Mac Flecknoe , the heroic journey is the coronation ceremony, a satirical mirror of the epic hero’s ascension. Flecknoe leads Shadwell through the streets of London, a parody of hero’s triumphs processions found in classical epics. Instead of celebrating noble deeds, the procession underscores Shadwell’s succession as the dullest poet of all.

8. Mock heroic elements in Mac Flecknoe Epic Similes and Elevated Language Dryden frequently uses the elevated language and similes of epics, but applies them to ridiculous ends. For instance. Flecknoe is described as ruling over the “realm of Non-sense” and Shadwell is compared to characters from epics, but the comparison, are always for the sake of highlighting incompetence.
This epic simile would normally be used to describe hero’s grand presence, but here it serves to mock Shadwell’s ponderous lack of creativity.

9. Rhetorical devices in Mac Flecknoe Irony The poem is rich in irony, as Dryden mockingly praises Shadwell by suggesting that he is the perfect heir to the throne of dullness, thus ridiculing his poetic abilities. The grandiose language contrasts with the mediocrity of Shadwell.
Example: Shadwell alone my perfect image bears, / Mature in dullness from his tender years. Sarcasm Dryden uses sarcasm when referring to Shadwell’s supposed literary prowess, praising him for qualities that are, in fact negative. Example: And pond’rous syllables, which nodding fall, / As if he meant to knock down learning with his song.

10. Rhetorical devices in Mac Flecknoe Allusion Dryden alludes to classical and historical figures to enhance his mockery of Shadwell. Comparing him to great literary and historical figures highlights Shadwell’s inadequacies.
Example: Allusions to Augustus and Rome in describing Shadwell’s ascension to the throne of dullness. Hyperbole Exaggeration is used to create a comic effect. Dryden makes Shadwell appear even more ridiculous by exaggerating his lack of talent. Example: The rest to some faint meaning make pretence, / But Shadwell never deviates into sense .

11. Rhetorical devices in Mac Flecknoe Mock-Epic Style The poem adopts the style of an epic, including formal structure, invocation of the muse, and elevated language, all to describe something trivial—Shadwell’s lack of poetic talent. This mismatch between style and subject matter enhances the satire.
Example: Dryden uses the language of coronation and succession to describe Shadwell’s rise as the king of dullness. Satirical Comparison Throughout the poem, Dryden compares Shadwell to Flecknoe (another bad poet), exaggerating Shadwell’s dullness to show him as Flecknoe’s successor in mediocrity.
Example: Thy Genius calls thee not to purchase fame, / But to complete the full degree of dullness.

12. Rhetorical devices in Mac Flecknoe Heroic couplets Throughout the poem, Dryden used Heroic couplet (a pair of rhyming lines written in iambic pentameter) . It is commonly used in epic but here the subject of the poem is not of heroic doings of warriors but simply the description of foolishness and dullness of his contemporary rival Shadwell.

13. Conclusion The mechanism of the mock-heroic genre consists in praising the characters for their triviality and vulgarity. Thus, Dryden never directly attacks Shadwell, rather he obtains his result of belittling him by exalting his ignorance and bad writing.

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