'Absalom and Achitophel' by John Dryden.
Overview :
John Dryden (1631-1700) was born in Northamptonshire, England, into a large and relatively prosperous landowning family. As a young boy, Dryden received a fashionable humanist education at Westminster School and later attended Trinity College, Cambridge. His education gave him a thorough grounding in works of classical Greek and Latin literature, which would remain an important literary touchstone for him throughout his life. Dryden was a successful student, graduating from Cambridge in 1654. In 1659, he made his literary debut with a poem marking the death of Oliver Cromwell, but although his family were Puritans and supporters of the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War, Dryden personally welcomed the Restoration of the Stuart Monarchy in 1660. He wrote two poems celebrating King Charles II’s return and coronation: “Astraea Redux” (1660) and “To His Sacred Majesty” (1661). Dryden’s royalist beliefs and deep mistrust of civil discord are reflected in several of his other poetic works, including “Absalom and Achitophel” (1681).
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| John Dryden |
Dryden first established himself as a dramatist, producing a large body of work that included both comedies and tragedies. Notable works include Secret Love, or the Maiden Queen (1667), The Conquest of Granada (1670), Marriage à la Mode (1673), and All for Love (1678). In 1668, Dryden published a critical essay, “Of Dramatick Poesie”, reflecting on English drama and its relationship to both its French contemporaries and classical predecessors. In the same year, Dryden became the first Poet Laureate of England, a post he would hold until 1689. In 1678, Dryden tired of the stage and turned his attention more fully to writing verse. He soon became famous for his satiric poems, many of which were political themed and reflected contemporary events.
Absalom and Achitophel” by John Dryden. A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
In 1685, Dryden converted to Roman Catholicism and wrote “The Hind and the Panther” (1687) in defense of the Roman Catholic faith. When King James II was forced to abdicate in 1688, Dryden’s political and religious leanings were suddenly out of step with the times, and he lost his post as Poet Laureate. Dryden returned to writing for the stage, producing his final play, Love Triumphant, in 1694 before permanently retiring as a playwright. In his final years, Dryden devoted himself to translating classical texts, including works by such authors as Juvenal and Virgil. He died in 1700 and was buried in the Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey. Dryden’s influence was enormous both in his own time and posthumously, due to his large and acclaimed body of work, the confidence and elegance of his style, and—perhaps most notably—his perfection of the heroic couplet in many of his poems. Major 18th-century writers such as Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson credited Dryden among their major influences, and he has remained an established part of the traditional English literary canon ever since.
On the surface, “Absalom and Achitophel” appears to be a retelling of a story from the Bible. David, the King of Israel, has many sons from many wives and concubines, but his favorite son is Absalom. The poem’s speaker implies that Absalom’s character contains certain flaws, all of which are either excused or overlooked by his doting father.
Meanwhile, King David’s subjects grow restless and dissatisfied, even though King David is a competent and merciful monarch. Plots soon arise that threaten the stability of David’s rule, and a man named Achitophel soon takes the lead. In the past, Achitophel distinguished himself in royal service, but he has now grown corrupted by ambition and seeks to stir up popular resentment for his own gain. Achitophel turns to Absalom, using his rhetorical powers to persuade the young man that he should join the plot against the king and seize power for himself over the rightful heir. At first Absalom resists, praising his father’s rule, but he is soon overcome by his dissatisfaction with his illegitimate status and his own desire for power.
Politics, Allegory, and Satire :
On the surface, John Dryden’s poem “Absalom and Achitophel” is a rehashing of the story of David, the third king of Israel, and his illegitimate son Absalom, who rebels against his father and tries to usurp his throne. However, this biblical story is merely an allegory, a form of extended metaphor, for the political events that unfolded in Dryden’s time. In 1678, an alleged Catholic conspiracy to assassinate King Charles II, known… read analysis of Politics, Allegory, and Satire.
God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings :
At the center of John Dryden’s poem “Absalom and Achitophel” is God and religion. The poem is a satirical critique of contemporary politics, but Dryden couches his argument in a biblical story from the Book of Samuel. Instead of the happenings of 17th century England, “Absalom and Achitophel” focuses on David, the third king of Israel, and his illegitimate son Absalom, who, under the direction and influence of Achitophel.
Power and Ambition :
Power and ambition drive the plot of John Dryden’s poem “Absalom and Achitophel.” King David of Israel has all the power in theory, but in practice, he has little ambition. According to Achitophel, the King’s deceitful counselor, David is lacking “manly force,” and he gives in too easily to the people. The King is “mild” and hesitant to draw blood, and Achitophel, in his own ambition for increasing power, sees David as weak. “But… read analysis of Power and Ambition.
Biblical Allegory :
This work is considered one of the greatest examples of political satire in history, and it accomplishes this through biblical allegory. England was a far more literate country than many others at the time, but even so, if most people actually owned a book, that book was likely to be the Bible. The Bible acted as metaphor for most Christians to a level far exceeding anything else ever published, and Dryden was well aware of that. Therefore, he made the brilliant calculation to not cast his satire as an allegory of ancient myth or British heroes: instead, his satire is situated within an allegorical framework that nearly every reader would immediately understand. Furthermore, Dryden chose as his figures for transforming the contemporary state of the right succession in England what is perhaps the most famous story of succession in the entire Bible. Thus, Charles II is transformed into King David—in the top five of almost every Bible reader’s list of heroes—while the Duke of Monmouth is appropriately cast as Absalom, David’s son. The false Shaftesbury is the false Achitophel, a smart, manipulative, cunning figure.
Desire for Power :
Dryden's poem suggests that the desire for power is a common one in the hearts of men. Almost all men want it in some fashion or another, and they are easily swayed from their rightful place and beliefs if given the opportunity to amass it. Absalom is generally a good, loving, and moral son (albeit a tempestuous one), but he cannot help himself when Achitophel comes calling with whispers of the throne. Achitophel also holds a significant position, but it is not enough for him. Whether one is in politics, the law, or religion, one still has these desires. Dryden doesn't condemn ambition outright, but he asserts that one must know his place and that, if it is not moral or legitimate to seek a specific office or position, then the one who occupies it has the right to resist with force.
Conclusion:
This work contains Political, Religion, Satirical poem on Monarchy.
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