POETRY

Chapter - 8

"The Rape of the Lock"
- Alexander Pope

Question- Evaluate 'Rape of the Lock' as a mock heroic epicpoem.

Or
Comment on Poep's use of epic machinery in the 'Rape of the Lock'.
Or
"The most airy, the most ingenious, the most delightful of Pope's compositions." Consider this estimate of The Rape of the Lock.
Or
Write a note on the part of the syphs in The Rape of the Lock'. What does the poem gain by the use of machinery?

Answer -

An epic may be defined as a narrative in verse in which heroic actions are related in an elevated style. A mock-epic is a parody of the exalted style and manner. A mock-heroic poem thus becomes a travesty (ridiculous imitation) of the epic style. A mocking effect is created by treating a trivial subject in an exalted manner and style. Its essence lies in the contrast between a trivial theme and lofty treatment. Prof Courthope defines the mock epic as: "The true genius of mock heroic lies in travesting the serious epic, in bringing all the leading features of the epic mechinery, lofty incident, character and style to the exaltation of a trivial subject."

The mockery of the epic manner is as old as the epic manner itself. When Pope used this method in The Rape of the Lock he was doing nothing new, he was simply completing the process which began with the Homeric Battle of the Frog and Mice. The other mock heroic like Don Quixote, Garth's Dispensary, Boilean's Le Lutrin, Dryden's Mack Fleckonoe and Tassoue's "The Rape of the Bucket" were the predecessors of the Rape of the Lock. But Pope's mock-epic "mocks at the maximum amount of the epic". It is more complete, more perfect, more proportioned, more delicate than any other epic of this genre. In Pope's "The Rape of the Lock' we find the pompous exalted style of the true epic used for the trivial and insignificant. In Hazlitt's words; The Rape of the Lock becomes the triumph of the insignificance, apotheosis of floppery and folly."

Let us discuss in what different ways the poet has parodied the epic in substance and style:

The Epic Substance -

(1) An epic is lengthy and covers a large span of time mostly years. Pope's mock epic is very short and its entire action takes place within few hours.

(2) The hero of the epic is greatman possessing exceptional qualities of head and heart. He is bulky and heroic in figure. Pope's Rape of the Lock has no hero but a heroine, a flirt, a pretty spoiled maid. Her shouts are compared with those of 'Othello's and the flashes of lightning from her eyes like those of an epic hero. 'Loud shrieks invoking the pity are not uttered even when women lose their husband." The border of the petticot of Belinda is compared with shield of Ajex.

(3) The use of supernatural machinary is invariably made in the epic. This supernatural figures in the epic are studpendous creatures. Supernatural being used in The Rape of Lock' are down scaling of the supernatural in serious epics. Pope's sylphs are tiny creatures, having insect wings. Supernatural creatures in serious epic perform mighty action but sylphs in Pope's poem do nothing except forming a fence round the petticot of Belinds and such other trivial jobs.

(4) In serious epic we find a chief of the supernatural being (as Joe in Homeric epics) who threatens of dire consequences to those inferior gods who may fail in their duties. In Pope's epic this leading role of supernatural is mockingly performed by Ariel who threatens punishment by means of cruelities devised from the cosmetic elements.

(5) The serious epic heroes carry heroic arms like seven fold shield to fight with their enemies. Belinda faces enemies with her unfaultering weapon beauty and her petticot is her 'Seven fold fence.' This is mockery of Ajex's seven fold shield.

(6) In epics episodes and digsessions are introduced to bring variety as well as to enhance the interest and appeal in the story. Pope in order to make his mock epic parallel to serious epic introduces game of ombre and it is described in such detail as if it is not a battle of cards but the battle of honour between hero and his enemies, Green table where cards are being played is treated as battle field.

(7) The battles in the epics are fought and won with immense valour and courage. There is mass bloodshed. The hero wins the battle in one single combat. In the Rape of the Lock, battle is fought with a pinch of snuff and a bodkin.

The Epic Style -

The effect of parody is heigtened by the heroic style in The Rape of the Lock'. Pope himself pointed out." the use of pompous expression for low action is the perfection of the mock - epic".

1. The Poem begins with an invocation to the goddess of poetry like Milton's Paradise lost that begins with an invocation to the Muse.

2. Pope uses pompous expression for the most trivial objects. The scissors are described as 'two edged weapon', 'little engine', 'fatal engine,' 'sheers' and 'melting point.' and a litterning forfex'. The card table becomes 'valvet green' or 'verdant field' etc.

"A toilet is described with the solemnity off an altar raised to the goddess of vanity and the history of a silver bodkin is given with all the pomp of heraldry. No pains are spared, no profusion of ornament no splendour of poetic diction to set of the meanest things. You hardly know whether to laugh or weep. It is the triumph of insignificance, the apotheosis of floppery and folly. It is the perfection of the mock heroic."

3. In epics particularly in Homeric epics we find the use of long drawn similies. Pope could not resist to make frequent use of such similies in his mock epic. The fight between the fops and belles is mockingly dignified by use of long Homeric simile :

4. The use of epigram and anticlimax, irony and satire are the other features that make the Rape of the Lock' mock heroic. The breaking of vow of chastity is placed on the same footing as the breaking of a favourite china jar and the death of a lap dog is as mournable as the death of a husband. Ironical touches can be seen in the description of belles with their petticots, tweezer case, paints and pins and billet-doux.

Conclusion - We should not conclude that a parody of the epic style is only the mockery of the people, society or an age to laugh at. It has a serious purpose to serve, a moral lesson to impart. The Rape of the Lock is a witty satire on contemporary social life and has a moral which is imparted in the speech of Clarissa that all beauty is worthless without good sense.

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