I will firstly discuss “The Rape of the Lock” and how Pope here makes effective use of the mock epic through the course of the poem. The opening of this poem is a letter written to the actual subject matter of the poem Mrs Arabella Fermor, in this opening letter he discusses why he wrote the poem, what inspired him to do so, why he published this piece and also his reasoning for dedicating it to Arabella. The poem is split into five canto’s. The poem begins with Belinda the heroine of this story arising from sleep. Belinda has been dreaming, and in her dream we learn that this dream has come from Ariel, her guardian sylph. This dream introduces us to gnomes and the sylphs who will be important later in the poem. Ariel in this dream describes
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The use of humour is one of the most important traits of a mock epic, this poem is filled with humour. The plot of the poem circles around such a small and frivolous incident, the action which takes place in the poem all stems from this. The “battle” that takes place between the Baron and Belinda is also ridiculous and humorous. Like an epic this poem is also divided into canto’s. Also epic’s also use an element of the supernatural, here in “The Rape of the Lock” this is also the case with the gnomes and sylphs being part of the story. You could even view Ariel as a mock hero due to the fact that it is his job to look after and protect Belinda. Belinda could also be viewed as the mock hero as she is the poem is based around her and her adventures. The poem is based on true events that occurred between two families that the poets parents were friends with. A mock epic always contains episodes, this poem is no different. The poem contains a few episodes including the game of ombre which is played between Belinda and the Baron, this is described in greatest of detail. Another episode sees Umbriel travel to the Cave of the Spleen, we also see the “battle” that ensues between the Baron his men and Belinda and her friends. This battle of course is not the same as a battle which might be seen in an epic. Overall, the poet here uses the structure and conventions of the mock epic throughout this poem, making effective use of its
The use of humour is one of the most important traits of a mock epic, this poem is filled with humour. The plot of the poem circles around such a small and frivolous incident, the action which takes place in the poem all stems from this. The “battle” that takes place between the Baron and Belinda is also ridiculous and humorous. Like an epic this poem is also divided into canto’s. Also epic’s also use an element of the supernatural, here in “The Rape of the Lock” this is also the case with the gnomes and sylphs being part of the story. You could even view Ariel as a mock hero due to the fact that it is his job to look after and protect Belinda. Belinda could also be viewed as the mock hero as she is the poem is based around her and her adventures. The poem is based on true events that occurred between two families that the poets parents were friends with. A mock epic always contains episodes, this poem is no different. The poem contains a few episodes including the game of ombre which is played between Belinda and the Baron, this is described in greatest of detail. Another episode sees Umbriel travel to the Cave of the Spleen, we also see the “battle” that ensues between the Baron his men and Belinda and her friends. This battle of course is not the same as a battle which might be seen in an epic. Overall, the poet here uses the structure and conventions of the mock epic throughout this poem, making effective use of its