👉Table of contents:-
Personal Information
Assignment Details
Abstract
eywords
Introduction
What is Satire?
What is Political Satire?
Dryden as Satirists
Absalom and Achitophel as a Political Satire Conclusion
References
👉Personal Information:-
Name:- Divya Bharatbhai Jadav
Batch :- M.A.sem 1 ( 2023- 2025)
Email Address:- divyajadav5563@gmail. com
Roll number:- 8
👉Assignment Details:-
Topic:- Absalom and Achitophel as a Political Satire
Paper:- Literature of the Elizabethan and Restoration periods
Subject code:- 22392
Submitted to:- . Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar
Date of Submission:- 1 December 2023
About Assignment:- In this assignment I will try to explore " Absalom and Achitophel" as a Political Satire by John Dryden.
👉Abstract:-
'Absalom and Achitophel ' is a grand political satire by John Dryden. Written in 1681 considered a witty heroic poem. It is about the biblical rebellion of Absalom against king David. This story is used to represent the contemporary situations concerning king Charles Second. The main purpose of writing the poem was 'amendment of vices by correction '. His satire is sharper as per degree of corruption. Monmouth is Absalom, Charles is David and Shaftesbury is Achitophel. The most common reading of the poem is the connection between fatherhood and kingship. Dryden has used fatherly affection of David and legitimacy of Abasalom 's succession.
👉Keywords:-
'Absalom and Achitophel' basically a political satire, Dryden 's aim in 'Absalom and Achitophel', Political Satire cast in Biblical Mould
👉Introduction:-
Dryden was a famous English poet, best known for his satirical poetry. His Absalom and Achitophel characters are considered as one of his best political satire. The poem is allegorical in nature. Dryden uses the device of allegory in order to criticize the political situation of his time.In 1681 in England, Charles II was in his advanced years and had no legitimate heirs. His brother, James II was not liked by people because of his intense inclination towards Roman Catholics. On the other hand, James Scott, the illegitimate son of King Charles and the Duke of Monmouth, was very popular for both his personal charisma and his favor for the Protestants. Moreover, there was also a prevailing tussle among the Whigs and Tories.
👉 What is Satire? :-
Satire is a form of literature, the proclaimed purpose of which is the reform of human weaknesses or vices through laughter or disgust. Satire is different scolding and sheer abuse, though it is prompted by indignation. Its aim is generally constructive, and need not arise from cynicism or misanthropy. The satirist applies the test of certain ethical, intellectual and social standards to women, and determines their degree of criminality or culpability. Satire Naturally has a wide range; it can involve an attack on the vices of an age, or the defects of an individual or the follies common to the very species of mankind.
👉What is Political Satire? :-
'Absalom and Achitophel' is a landmark political satire by John Dryden. Dryden marks his satire with a concentrated and convincing poetic style. His capacity to transform the trivial into the poetical; personal envy into the fury of imaginative creation. The obscure and the complicated are made clear and simple. All this transforming power is to be seen at the very beginning of Absalom and Achitophel. is easy to understand and yet Dryden shows himself a master both "Horatian and the Juvenalian styles of Satire.
👉Dryden as a satirists:-
Satire is a literary form which searches out the faults of men or institutions in order to hold them up to ridicule. Dryden considered the true end of satire to be the amendment of vices by correction.Dryden is a master of the classical form of satire. He shows the influence of classical writers of Rome like Horace and Juvenal. Dryden combines the urbane laughter of Horace with the vigorous contempt of Juvenal in his satire.
Dryden's satire is remarkable as an artistic expression of controlled contempt. Of the three great English satirists, Dryden is a master of scorn or contempt, Pope of rage, and Swift of disgust. Dryden speaks as one civilized person to another, without invective. The suave Horatian manner marks his political satire.
👉Absalom and Achitophel as a Political Satire:-
Dryden called Absalom and Achitophel not a satire,implying there that it had elements other than purely satirical. for instance, ignore the obvious epic or heroic touches in it. All the same, the poem originated in the political situation of England . At this time, The Earl of Shaftesbury had been thrown into prison to face a charge of high treason. There were two contenders for the succession. Firstly, Charles' brother James, Duke of York , a known Roman catholic; the second contender was Charles' illegitimate son, the protestant Duke of Monmouth. The Whigs supported Monmouth while the Tories supported the cause of James in order to ensure stability in the country. There was great public unrest on account of the uncertainty of succession. The earl of Shaftesbury, a highly ambitious man, sought to capitalise on this unrest. "He also urged Monmouth to rebel against his father. The king, though fond of his illegitimate son, did not support his succession because that would have been against law.
Dryden's political satire is manifest in Absalom and Achitophel, a brilliant piece of satirical allegory in which the cause of King Charles II is championed. It satirizes the attempt of Shaftesbury to overrule the succession of the Duke of York and set the Duke of Monmouth in his place. An allegorical version of a story from the Bible suits the purpose. Charles II is David and the Duke of Monmouth is Absalom, while Shaftesbury is the satanic, cunning and dangerous Achitophel. The series of satirical portraits in the poem is its chief attraction and strength. Careful selection of details, moderation and tolerance mark the satire. Moral indignation is never affected; Dryden's attitude is cool and not ill-humored. He does not show mean malice.
👉Dryden 's aim in Absalom and Achitophel:-
The aim of Dryden was to support the king and to expose his enemies.Charles had his own weaknesses; he was extremely fond of women. but Dryden puts a charitable mantle over his sexual sins. "He is mild in dealing with his real vices. The king himself did not think unfavourably of his love affairs. Sexual licence was the order of the age and as such, it did not deserve condemnation. Dryden has nothing but praise for the king's moderation in political matters and his leniency towards rebels. Drydens lash falls on the king's enemies , particularly the earl of Shaftesbury. "He was a reckless politician without any principles who, and having tried in vain to seduce Charles to an arbitrary government, had turned round and now drives down the current'. Dryden dreads the cleaness of the mob and he is not sure to what extremes a crowd can go."however, the kings. Strictness and instinct for the rule of law won him popular support and he was able to determine the succession according to his desire.
In his poem,Dryden compares the Duke of Buckingham To theBiblical character Zimri, who is tempted to the throne of Israel,kills his master, and rises to the throne though could only survive for seven days as the king of Israel. In reality, theDuke of Buckingham Was Originally a friend of King Charles II, but when the religious confusion between Whigs andTories started, he joined theWhigs, the rebel group ofKing Charles II.
👉Political Satire Cast in Biblical Mould :-
Dryden chose the well known biblical story of Absalom revolting against his father David, at the wicked instigation of Achitophel, in order to satirise the contemporary political situation. The choice of a biblical allegory is not original on Dryden 's part, but his general treatment of the subject is beyond comparison, But all the while Dryden takes care to see that the political satire is not lost in the confusion of a too intricate biblical parallelism. The advantage of setting the story in pre- christian times is obvious as it gave Dryden had at once to praise the king and satirise the king's opponents. To discredit the opponents he had to emphasise on monmouth illegitimacy; but at the same time he had to see that Charles was not adversely affected by his criticism. "He could not openly condone Charles' loose morals; at the same time, he could not openly criticise it either. With a masterly touch he sets the poem …
"In pious times are priestcraft did begin
before polygamy was made a sin ;
when man on his kind,
Ere one to one was cursedly confident"
👉Conclusion:-
Dryden is correctly regarded as the most vigorous and polished of English satirists combining refinement with fervour. Dryden is unequalled at debating in rhyme and Absalom and Achitophel displays his power of arguing in verse. It may be said that Absalom and Achitophel have no rival in the field of political satire. Apart from the contemporary interest of the poem and its historical value, its appeal to the modern reader lies in its observations on English character and on the weakness of man in general. The poem is certainly a political satire.
References:-
https://www.ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR1805118.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/337951932_Political_Satire_in_Neo_Classical_Agehttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/337951932_Political_Satire_in_Neo_Classical_Age
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