Poem Analysis Essay on The Rape of the Lock

Introduction

Mock-epic is a type of sarcasm that assumes the refined heroic style of the conventional epic poem to an inconsequential theme. The poem "The Rape of the Lock" is generally a humorous criticism of the conceits of the 18th century and the poem is centered on a real occurrence within the poet's social contact. John Milton's poem entitled "Paradise Lost" explicitly argues the fall of humanity from ecstasy. This poet's description of the fall is one depicting a fortunate fall, denoting that, albeit the dismissal being a straight consequence of iniquity, the fall is fundamentally for the benefit of humanity. Nonetheless, this fall is not as providential, since it does not better the lives of humankind but rather demonstrates the obligation of humanity to be obedient to God. The fortunate fall idea, as depicted by John Milton was necessary was essentially important in allowing greater good for humanity. Surprisingly, God presents humanity with a second chance by the sacrifice, persecution, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.This offers salvation to humanity.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

In reference to the Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock, we can develop a correlation on how he narrates the fall of humanity and the fortunate fall of humanity as depicted by John Milton in the Paradise Lost. The society displayed by Alexander Pope is one that has failed to distinguish things that are of importance and that which do not matter. In the society depicted, this poem ridicules the way in which values have lost all meaning. Important issues are neglected and this according to the Poet sums up the massive society failure in all aspects. The poem unsurprisingly mocks the men it describes as being contemptible. They are a disgrace to a form that is befitting a heroic ethos. This poem has moral issues at the center of its concerns. However, Alexander Pope has adopted a satirical approach rather than the sincere means to be symptomatic of the massive manner in which the culture of the society has fallen. For example, in Canto 5, The Baron, aloof of the ladies' cries and reproofs. This makes Clarissa deliver a speech whereby she wonders why in a society where the beauty of women is highly adored, there is no space for good values and humor. She argues that beauty is short lived and the society should instill something more substantial, such as morality and good values. However, she is hardly listened to. Ridiculously, Belinda and other subjects ignore her and go ahead to make a scathing attack on the felonious Baron. In the ensuing tussle, Belinda and the Baron go for all-out combat and Belinda is victorious at the end and consequently acquires a position of advantage and demands the lock be return. However, the ringlet has been lost in the battle, and the poet suggests that the lock rose to the heavens and became a star so that the people may envy it ever. This explicitly shows the colossal results of human failure, just as shown in John Milton's Paradise Lost. Humanity is forced to pay the price. In this case, Belinda misses out on the Lock which is forever gone. The glory is lost.

The poet portrays Belinda as the fashionable lady of his time. Her maid, Betty, is tasked with finding the best charms for Belinda's body. The displays Belinda as a lady not concerned with respect to the holy book, the Bible, a precondition by Roman Catholics for one to be considered morally upright at his times. This moral decay portrayed by Belinda and her love for card games, hanging out around River Thames and the Hampton court, laziness and late rising is an indication of the fall of humanity. Human beings toil and moil for the less important things while they live an abject life with no morals and good values.

The Theme of Innocence

In Canto I, Belinda is shown in deep slumber, with her head on a luxurious pillow. Curtains are pulled aside for the benefit of a viewer to have full sight of her breasts exposed. The poet suggests that nymph dreams even in sleep made her cheeks glow. She dreams of her youth days and the innocence of those times and generally how the days of the youth were glittering. Now, Belinda is subject to competing for sexual favors with many sylphs competing for her. The aspect of whether Belinda refrains from these approaches or not justifies the theme of innocence. Additionally, this reinforces the theme of compromised chastity in the Rape of the Lock.

Belinda has also displayed as a lady lacking spirituality. This character of Belinda goes on to reveal to the reader the lack of innocence as she poet purports to display in the poem. It turns out the Belinda is more concerned about her reputation than striving to achieve spiritual sacredness, and this hurts her reputation of being an innocent girl. The poet distinctively portrays her beauty and how men admire her. She has dazzling beauty and romance and though it is not very clear in the poem, she appears to take advantage of her good body looks to exploit potential suitors. Some of Belinda's habits are worrying. She wakes up at 12 O'clock daytime, and she has a shocking affinity towards luxury and beauty. Despite this, it is sarcastic that she has little interest in other things in life and this poses a reader the question as to whether Belinda is genuine or a pretender. Her innocence cannot be guaranteed by just looking at her exclusive life.

Theme of Experience

In Canto 2, Belinda and her associates are portrayed by the poet playing a card game which as the poet describes, they have good experience on how to play the card game. However, as they play the card game, the Baron has a heinous plan to cut Belinda's locks. In a mocking explanation, Alexander Pope describes the card game as a battle of kings and queens. This points out to the kind of expertise the players had! Clarissa presents the baron with a scissor which she uses to cut Belinda's locks. It is not an attempt as it is successful on the first try. However, it is symbolic. It basically shows the loss of feminine virtue exhibited by Belinda.

Belinda is a central character in this poem, and the poem is built around her. Despite her character of late rising and laziness, she is still ambitious to get married to high officials. She hangs around River Thames and Hampton Court where she can interact with peers and high officials. The poet describes her as having astonishing beauty and makes her body perfectly. She has the confidence and courage to hang out with high ranking officials and looks experienced in using her beauty to play in her advantage in order to achieve her ambitions of being married to peers or high officials. However, this is comical and since she has no experience in that which matters in life. Life has other aspects such as spirituality, academics, work and others and Belinda looks short of experience in all, apart from the social aspect, playing card games and beauty.

Works Cited

Alexander, Pope. The Rape of the Lock. Sovereign Sanctuary press, 1712

John, Milton. Paradise Lost. Creed church, 1967