The Rape of the Lock Alisha Badie, Mirabelle Skipworth, Ravina Shah

Historical Background -Enlightenment: sprawling intellectual, philosophical, cultural, and social movement that spread through Europe -The search for truth through science, reasoning, and logic -Satire was VERY common ●Used to ridicule the ideals of the Church ●Questions public morals ●Satirists used lots of exaggeration ●Heavy criticism Many Enlightenment thinkers and satirists met at salons to spread their ideas

About the Author

Language & Vocabulary Separated into five cantos -Canto= one of the sections into which certain long poems are divided. Very neoclassical in its roots Mock Epic causes heavy exaggeration -Mock Epic= discrepancy between its trivial subject matter. -Ex. A cracked teacup becomes a major catastrophe Intrusion (n.) - an inappropriate or unwelcome addition Languish (v.) - become weak; lose strength Vernal (adj.) - of or relating to the spring; occurring in the spring Transient (adj.) temporary; passing

What it’s About It’s a mock-epic ❖ Belinda wakes up with a warning, but she still does her primping. ❖ She then goes to a wealthy socialite gathering. ❖ The Baron has decided that he will steal a lock of Belinda’s hair ❖ The Baron proceeds, after few tries, to cut off a lock of Belinda’s hair. ❖ A “sack of sighs” and a “flask of tears” ❖ Clarissa tries to convince Belinda that this situation is not a big deal. ❖ A mock- heroic battle ❖ The lock gets lost in the chaos. ❖ “This lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame and ‘midst the stars inscribe Belinda’s name”(Canto 5 ln.57-58)

Characters ❖ Belinda ❖ The Baron ❖ Caryl ❖ Goddess ❖ Ariel ❖ Shock

Characters Continued ❖ Thalestris Brillante + = + + = Momentilla = Crispissa ❖ Clarissa ❖ Sir Plume

Settings ❖ The Hampton Court Palace ❖ The Thames River (London 1700s) ❖ The Cave of Spleen

The Purpose ❖ Pope makes fun of women and their materialism. ❖ His use of satire is used against the vanity and social pretensions. ❖ The poem is used to make fun of a real instance. ❖ Attack on people’s instinct to elevate a situation.

❖ Different standpoints can be taken.(Ex: The keeping of chastity) ❖ He means to point out the over dramatic society. ❖ “Restore the lock!” She cries; and all around “Restore the lock!” the vaulted roofs rebound. Not fierce Othello in so loud a strain Roar’d for the handkerchief that caus’d his pain.” ❖ The poem takes on a satirical tone. ❖ It is very over dramatic. ❖ At some points it is very serious to emphasize the mock-heroic context. Meaning & Tone

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