Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden

  Thinking activity

Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden

       This blog is in response to the thinking activity of Absalom and Achitophel assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, the Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to present vices which are supposed to be corrected through this satire "Absalom and Achitophel". 

Introduction:-

               Absalom and Achitophel is a verse satire and it is a political satire by English poet John Dryden published. It was published in 1681. The poem is written in heroic couplets. It is about the Exclusion crisis, a contemporary episode in which anti-Catholics, notably the earl of Shaftesbury, sought to bar James, duke of York, a Roman Catholic convert and brother to King Charles II, from the line of succession in favour of the king’s illegitimate (but Protestant) son, the duke of Monmouth.

Vices which can be corrected through this Satire:-

             Before jumping to the analysis of vices which are portrayed in this Satire, it is very important to first have an understanding of What is Satire and Political satire. According to Google dictionary

"In Satire, there is use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues."

According to Marriam Webster English dictionary,

"Satire is a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn."

       Both the definitions are very same. Satire generally means to expose human vices. Political satire is a form written when a writer or poet satirises certain political events which gives exposure to bring out vices and the sole purpose of satire is to correct it by laughing at them and criticizing them. The topic of this blog is based on this idea. 

Absalom and Achitophel is "generally acknowledged as the finest political satire in the English language". It is also described as an allegory regarding contemporary political events, and a mock heroic narrative. On the title page, Dryden himself describes it simply as "a poem". In the prologue, "To the Reader", Dryden states that "the true end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction". Dryden called Absalom and Achitophel ‘a poem’ and not a satire, implying thereby that it had elements other than purely satirical. One cannot, for instance, ignore the obvious epic or heroic touches in it. All the same, the poem originated in the political situation of England at the time and one cannot fail to note that several political personalities are satirised in it. 

        To consider this poem as a satire, we need to be aware of the political condition which was in English during the time of Dryden.

         The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681). The poem also references the Popish Plot (1678).

Allegorical characters:-

By the use of these allegorical characters, Dryden tries to satirise the political sphere of that time and characters involved in it. 

Vices which can be corrected:- 

         In "To the reader ", Dryden gives clarification and does not apologie about his work's content and structure. He illustrates that he is not inventing the storyline of the poem, but he is presenting the historical events. And that's why at the end he doesn't show rebond between Absalom and David. He in To the Readers also said that,

“The true end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction.”

       According to my understanding and close reading of the poem there are three major vices which are corrected through this poem.

1. Lust
2. Treason
3. Temptation

1. Lust:-

        Lust can be diverted into two parts Accord to the poem:

• Physical lust.
• Lust for power

Physical lust:-

In the initial lines, though, if we will not consider it as sarcasm for David , we can get a crystal clear idea of what Dryden wants to say.

"In pious times, ere priest-craft did begin,

Before polygamy was made a sin;

When man, on many, multipli'd his kind,

Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd:

When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd

Promiscuous (licence) use of concubine(Mistress) and bride;

Then, Israel's monarch, after Heaven's own heart,

His vigorous warmth did variously impart

To wives and slaves: and, wide as his command,

Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land."

                       In these lines, Dryden clearly presents how much lustful king David was. He is having so many extra marital affairs and physical relations with many women and servants. David is Charles II, known for his sexual relationships and illegitimate children throughout the land. David’s wife, Michal, is Catherine of Braganza; both women “failed” to provide their husband with an heir.

Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land

           These lines are somewhat difficult to understand whether Dryden is favouring or opposing the King. In "To The Readers", Dryden gives clarification and does not apologise about his work's content and structure, and Historical events. While going through the poem, we realise the Dryden is somewhat in favour of King. But in this initial part of the poem, he satirizes the King of that time. After giving Lustful illustration of the King David, Dryden presents his illagitimate son Absalom as equal as Him and his own Reflection.

"And seem'd as he were only born for love."

"With secret joy, indulgent David view'd

His youthful image in his son renew'd:"

     In these lines Absalom is depicted as a clear image of David himself. Both are same in this matter. The initial part of the poem is all about the physical lust of David and Absalom.

Lust for Power:-

           Lust for power is the main cause of the downfall of Absalom. Absalom's lust for power and disobedience towards his father brings his fall.

Treason:- 

           The Treason is the most important thing in the poem Absalom and Achitophel. Achitophel tempts Absalom who means Achitophel towards Treason. There are many characters which are close to the king and trusted but they are opposing the king. Like,

Corah, Shimei, Zimri, The pharaoh, Jonas, Nadab, Caleb, Balaam

           Here the concern is not normal treachery but the conspiracy is against the Nation.

Temptation:- 

        Absalom, the illegitimate child of King David was prompted by Achitophel, The Earl of Shaftesbury, to fight for the throne and take over the throne from King David, Absalom’s father. With studied flattery and art, Achitophel begins a long temptation speech to seduce Absalom to this rebellious cause. This temptation scene even resembles Paradise Lost by John Milton in some respect. Both employ a great deal of flattery.

 Achitophel who is allegorically Anthony Ashley Cooper tempts the gullible Absalom to take over the throne from his father, so that King David does not give the throne to King James, who is King David’s brother and thereby an obvious heir to the throne. He exaggerates the qualities of Absalom:

“ The Young-mens Vision, and the Old mens Dream!

Thee, Saviour, Thee, the Nations Vows confess.”

         He compares Absalom with God. Achitophel makes Absalom blind for power. Achitophel does so because he was bereft of the Lord Chancellorship position once by King David and so it was Achitophel’s way of ruling through the illegitimate child of King David, who is Absalom. Absalom’s lust for power and disobedience towards his father brings his fall. His innocence is lost because of Achitophel who urges Absalom to "commit a pleasing rape upon the crown".

The ending part of the poem is more important. The last lines are,..

He said. Th' Almighty, nodding, gave consent;

And peals of thunder shook the firmament.

Henceforth a series of new time began,

The mighty years in long procession ran:

Once more the god-like David was restor'd,

And willing nations knew their lawful lord.

At the end of the poem, King David gives a speech. All the supporters of the king tell him what is going on and David delivers a speech about how he has been too good for too long. Even if part of the power resides with Parliament, he is equally if not a more important part and he won’t let anybody pick his heirs for him. He wishes Absalom would repent and ask for forgiveness, which he would readily grant because he still loves him. Dryden leaves this part vague, perhaps because at this point it was not still clear what would happen to Monmouth. In a sense, Dryden dubbing him “Absalom” foreshadowed his early death, although this happened after Charles’ death, when Monmouth openly rebelled against James II. David also foresees the people believing in Catholic conspiracy are going to destroy each other with their infighting and there will be peace again. His words are confirmed by God’s thunder and there is peace again in Israel/England. "I’m afraid I can’t summon more enthusiasm for this part of the poem, which is just a panegyric to Charles II and the royal power."

These last part is more appealing when we consider what Dryden says In "To the Readers", “The true end of satire is the amendment of vices by correction.” So this lines are justified here.

      So these three vices are very much in touch with that time and even we can apply in our Modern time also. By this satire, Dryden elaborates these follies. So these vices as per my understanding can be corrected by this poem. And the aim of satire is fulfilled here.

         

For better understanding of the poem go through these videos:-

       So these three vices are supposed to be corrected by this poem. And the aim of satire is fulfilled here.

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(Words:- 1608)