Murchana Das
Yogesh K Dubey
Eighteenth Century Literature (102)
15th November, 2017
The Notion of Neo-classicism as contextualized by John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel Neoclassicism in English literature is said to have begun from King Charles II’s restoration in 1660 to the publication of the Lyrical Ballads in 1798. The literature of this age was heavily influenced by the literature of the Roman Augustan era, namely those of Virgil, Horace, Juvenal, Ovid etc. Names of literary personages of the time include names like John Dryden, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson. The works produced during this time were mostly satirical and heavily ornamented with allusions. The writers were also against the Renaissance idea of the man being perfect …show more content…
Allusions are an important part of the literature of this era. The works of this age is mostly filled by several allusions, both classical and contemporary. In Absalom and Achitophel, the readers are required to deal with several contemporary topical scenario with Biblical and Miltonic allusions. Dryden juxtaposes two different histories –Hebrew and English- to create the backdrop of this satirical piece. He has chosen a well-known Biblical tale of King David and the rebellion of his son Absalom. This rebellion is alluded to the crisis of 1679-81 in England. Miltonic allusions are seen in the representation of Achitophel. The character is alluded to Milton’s Satan, and in reality is the representation of the Earl of Shaftesbury. In fact, his name is cursed, and he has also cursed the ages that will come- “Of these false Achitophel was first/A Name to all succeeding ages Curst.” (Absalom and Achitophel, 150-151). The temptation of Adam and the temptation of Absalom by Satan and Achitophel respectively, is merged quite effectively by Dryden. Allusions play a definitive role in this poem; in fact the whole work is a collection of several allusions put …show more content…
The poems were mostly written in heroic couplets, like those of Virgil and other artists of antiquity. This text is also written in heroic couplet, in fact it is said that Dryden was the main figure behind the revival of the heroic couplet. The literature of that era was severely didactic. It was a means to provide information and knowledge to the readers about the condition of England. Absalom and Achitophel, in this case, is purely didactic. It provides the readers with ample knowledge about the political scenario of England during that time, and also provides a deeper perception of the King Charles II in the speech of David in the last lines. The realistic element, therefore, plays quite well in the
Yogesh K Dubey
Eighteenth Century Literature (102)
15th November, 2017
The Notion of Neo-classicism as contextualized by John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel Neoclassicism in English literature is said to have begun from King Charles II’s restoration in 1660 to the publication of the Lyrical Ballads in 1798. The literature of this age was heavily influenced by the literature of the Roman Augustan era, namely those of Virgil, Horace, Juvenal, Ovid etc. Names of literary personages of the time include names like John Dryden, Alexander Pope and Samuel Johnson. The works produced during this time were mostly satirical and heavily ornamented with allusions. The writers were also against the Renaissance idea of the man being perfect …show more content…
Allusions are an important part of the literature of this era. The works of this age is mostly filled by several allusions, both classical and contemporary. In Absalom and Achitophel, the readers are required to deal with several contemporary topical scenario with Biblical and Miltonic allusions. Dryden juxtaposes two different histories –Hebrew and English- to create the backdrop of this satirical piece. He has chosen a well-known Biblical tale of King David and the rebellion of his son Absalom. This rebellion is alluded to the crisis of 1679-81 in England. Miltonic allusions are seen in the representation of Achitophel. The character is alluded to Milton’s Satan, and in reality is the representation of the Earl of Shaftesbury. In fact, his name is cursed, and he has also cursed the ages that will come- “Of these false Achitophel was first/A Name to all succeeding ages Curst.” (Absalom and Achitophel, 150-151). The temptation of Adam and the temptation of Absalom by Satan and Achitophel respectively, is merged quite effectively by Dryden. Allusions play a definitive role in this poem; in fact the whole work is a collection of several allusions put …show more content…
The poems were mostly written in heroic couplets, like those of Virgil and other artists of antiquity. This text is also written in heroic couplet, in fact it is said that Dryden was the main figure behind the revival of the heroic couplet. The literature of that era was severely didactic. It was a means to provide information and knowledge to the readers about the condition of England. Absalom and Achitophel, in this case, is purely didactic. It provides the readers with ample knowledge about the political scenario of England during that time, and also provides a deeper perception of the King Charles II in the speech of David in the last lines. The realistic element, therefore, plays quite well in the