The Rape of the Lock

Mock-Heroic Poem by Alexander Pope

1. Alexander Pope – In Nutshell Born – May 21, 1688 – London, England Roman Catholic Family Inspired by the classical Greek Writers Self-taught At the age of 12 started writing Translated many Greek Works Died – May 30, 1744

2. The Rape of the Lock – Background Idea Two aristocrat Roman Catholic Families in friendship Lord Petre and Lady Arbella Fervor fall in love Petre cut Arbella’s lock of hair Friendship between the families changed Mr.John Caryll asked Pope to write a poem Pope came up with the masterpiece of the age “The Rape of the Lock”

3. Characters Belinda Beautiful young lady with wondrous hair, two locks of which hang gracefully in curls . The Baron Young admirer of Belinda who plots to cut off one of her locks. Ariel Belinda's guardian sylph (supernatural creature). Clarissa Young lady who gives the Baron scissors. Umbriel Sprite who enters the cave of the Queen of Spleen to seek help for Belinda.

4. Queen of Spleen Underworld goddess who gives Umbriel gifts for Belinda. Thalestris Friend of Belinda. Thalestris urges Sir Plume to defend Belinda's honor. Sir Plume Beau of Thalestris . He scolds the Baron. Sylphs, Fairies, Genies, Demons, Phantoms and Other Supernatural Creatures Supernatural Machinery : In classical epics God, gods and goddesses were the supernatural elements but here this part is performed by tiny spirits like; sylphs, nymphs, gnomes, and salamanders etc. Source – a Real-Life Incident

5. Canto 1 Belinda awakes from sleeping The dream of Belinda Belinda prepares for the day’s social activities

6. Canto 2 The travel on the Thames river The prayer of the young adventurer Baron The Sylphs’ mission to “tend the Fair”—to protect Belinda Brillante —the earrings Crispissa —the locks Ariel—Shock , Belinda’s lapdog Momentilla —the watch fifty chosen Sylphs—the petticoa

7. Canto 3 The game of cards— ombre Ombre : popular card game Matadore : a powerful card that could take a trick The rape of the lock

8. Canto 4 Belinda’s Ill-Natured mood and Affection after the loss of the lock Umbriel , the earthy gnome, descends to the Cave of Spleen Thalestris ’ speech rouses the rage of Belinda Sir Plume bids in vain the payment of the lock

9. Canto 5 Clarissa’s speech The battle of belles and beaux The lock rises to the heaven and becomes a star

10. Major Themes in the Rape of the Lock Beauty Religion and Morality Immortality and carefree nature of the upper class Female Desire and passion Love Pride

11. A s a Mock-Heroic Epic Both Literary and Moral satire Pope’s Vein Compared with Others The Machinery Used in Mock-Heroic Epic The Use of Spiritual Machinery in Mock-Heroic Epic Mockery — both Human and Literacy Didactic Purpose of Rape of the Lock as a Mock-Heroic Epic T he ridiculousness of a society in which values have lost all proportion The society on display in this poem is one that fails to distinguish between things that matter and things that do not.

12. Epic: “A long narrative poem about the actions of a great person.” Or “A long narrative poem which deals in a grand diction with sublime themes and tells heroic deeds.” Mock Epic:  “It is a parody of an epic.” Or  “A long narrative poem which deals in a grand diction with trivial/ordinary themes and produces laughter.”

13. Characteristics of Epic The protagonist is a figure of great importance. The ideal person of that culture; a superhuman. The Setting is vast in scope. The action consists of the deeds of courage. ( For example- War) The intervention of gods and supernatural Elements. The style of writing is elevated. Opens by stating the theme of the Epic. Writer invokes a muse.

14. Epic Epics are long poems which detail the heroic journey of one or more characters . Highlights Bravery, courage and struggle of the central character. One of the most famous examples of an epic is The Iliad, a story set during the Trojan Wars . Mock Heroic Epic A mock epic does exactly what it suggests: it works by 'mocking' the traditional epic. Focuses on a very silly and trivial matter. A famous example of a mock epic is "The Rape of the Lock." This poem has all the grandeur of an epic but instead of focusing on a heroic quest, the action focuses on a baron who steals a lock of hair from a lady, a far more trivial activity.

15. As a Social Satire Pope’s Satire in Rape of the lock The Poet’s Purpose Pope’s sincerity Towards Belinda’s beauty Pope’s Averse Attitude Towards Lord Petre Female Vanity as a piece of Satire in Rape of the Lock