The Rape of the Lock by Alexander Pope

1. The Rape of the Lockby Alexander Pope

2. About Alexander Pope ※Born in a Catholic family • Suffered from prejudices • Educated in Twyford

3. ※Moved to Binfield in 1700 Self-taught: “did nothing but read and write” Suffered from ill health: tuberculosis, asthma, and headaches About Alexander Pope

4. About Alexander Pope ※Moved to Binfield in 1700 • Humpbacked and deformed

5. ※Published An Essay on Criticism in 1711 First striking success as a poet ※Made friends with Jonathan Swift and John Gay About Alexander Pope

6. ※Published an early version of “The Rape of the Lock” in 1712 (two cantos) A funny battle between sexes and follies of a young lady About Alexander Pope

7. About Alexander Pope ※ Expanded “The Rape of the Lock” in 1714 (five cantos) • A quarrel between two families ◎ Characters: • Lord Petre :Baron • Miss Arabella Fermor: Belinda

8. ◎Background: John Caryll’s suggestion to “pour poetic oils on these troubled waters” or Hope that “a little laughter might serve to soothe ruffled tempers.” ◎Pope’s purpose: Do not worry about trivial things! About Alexander Pope

9. About Alexander Pope ※Translated Iliad and Odyssey into English • The first man to prove “Literature can raise writers.”

10. ※Published The Dunciad in 1728 Became professional satirist “Sleepless themselves to give their readers sleep” About Alexander Pope

11. ※ Died on May 30, 1744 The “Age of Pope” ended About Alexander Pope

12. Summary

14. Belinda awakes from sleeping The dream of Belinda Belinda prepares for the day’s social activities Canto 1

16. The travel on the Thames river The prayer of the young adventurer Baron The Sylphs’ mission to “tend the Fair”—to protect Belinda Brillante—the earrings Chrispissa—the locks Ariel—Shock, Belinda’s lapdog Momentilla—the watch fifty chosen Sylphs—the petticoat Canto 2

18. The game of cards—ombre The rape of the lock Canto 3

20. Belinda’s Ill-Natured mood and Affection after the loss of the lock Umbriel, the earthy gnome, descends to the Cave of Spleen Thalestris’ speech rouses the rage of Belinda Sir Plume bids in vain the payment of the lock Canto 4

22. Clarissa’s speech The battle of belles and beaux The lock rises to the heaven and becomes a star Canto 5

24. Epic Mock epic Structure Writing Style

25. A long narrative poem Elevated, grand style Great heroes and heroines The setting is vast in geographical range Supernatural power Epic, the Characteristics

26. The theme is usually the adventure of a hero or a war. Invocate the Muse’s aid. (Calliope) Ask epic question(s). Begin with inmedias res. Use epithets and similes. Gods’ interference in human affairs. Epic Conventions

27. A work designed to ridicule attitudes, style, or subject matter by handling either an elevated subject in a trivial manner or a low subject with mock dignity (Karl 30). Renders a trivial subject ridiculous by treating it with the elaborate (Karl 31). Compare small things with something great. Mock Epic

28. Epic/ Mock Epic

29. The Epic Question

30. Homeric Simile

31. Homeric Epithet

32. Heroic couplet Rhymed in every two lines. Iambic pentameter Ten syllables in each line Alternate with stressed and unstressed syllables Structure

33. Mock Epic

34. Mock Epic