The supernatural machinery developed in Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock as Sylphs, nymphs, gnomes and salamanders , which are crucial in mock-epic poetry, strongly develop the literary mockery as well as brings the fundamental action of epic to the metaphysical world. Within the poem the readers are presented with the explanation as to where the spirits originated from, in essence they were once women recognized for certain traits such as Sylphs who were once beautiful women and Salamanders who were known as women who were believed to have lived in fire, “fiery Termagants”(I,59). In Alexander Pope’s poem The Rape of The Lock the roles of the spirit’s are developed and demonstrated as three main tasks: the protection and attendant towards Belinda, the enhancement of suspense within the poem, and finally they serve by the guarding of chastity of all other women. These three roles demonstrate the sustenance for the supernatural in the poem.
Of the spirits many roles in the poem, one of the crucial ones is the guide and server to Belinda. They ensure that at all times Belinda appears at her best, disallowing her from being unpresentable to the men and women in society. The central demonstration of the spirits guidance to Belinda occurs when Ariel, her guardian sylph, cautions Belinda about the dangers of her current days social activities within a dream, “Beware of all, but most beware of Man” (I,114), and
Of the spirits many roles in the poem, one of the crucial ones is the guide and server to Belinda. They ensure that at all times Belinda appears at her best, disallowing her from being unpresentable to the men and women in society. The central demonstration of the spirits guidance to Belinda occurs when Ariel, her guardian sylph, cautions Belinda about the dangers of her current days social activities within a dream, “Beware of all, but most beware of Man” (I,114), and