Mock Epic: from TheRape of the Lock

rejoicing

meal

stop

secluded or hidden places

exciting; stimulating

casts down; dispirits

young ladies

powdered tobacco product sniffed or rubbed on the teeth and gums

card game for three players, popular in the eighteenth century

coffee beans

Responses to this question may vary, but possible segments of the poem that may be analyzed for humor are Belinda’s antic conquests during the game of omber (lines 28-29), Belinda’s reaction to the baron’s winning hand (lines 89-92), the baron’s cry of triumph after he cuts the lock of Belinda’s hair (lines 161-178), or the ascent of the lock to the heavens (lines 69-88).

exulting

Repast

The conversation emphasizes the preposterous nature of the conflict between Belinda and the baron. They speak to each other as if they are at war with each other (lines 50-59).

Sample answer: The heavenly ascent of the lock mocks the romantic intrigues around which Belinda’s life has revolved (lines 83-88).

Students’ responses will vary. A sample response follows: Pope’s tone is affectionately mocking of the foibles of the upper classes, and his wit, like the Baron’s scissors, has a double edge. He glorifies the wealthy and insults them, but he does so in such a balanced way that it is not clear which view is most prominent. This ambiguity ensures that the audience members—the very target of his wit—will be confused, not knowing whether to feel flattered or insulted by this description of their triviality. The sections in the text that seem most critical of society are found in the introductory passages, where Pope comments freely on topics such as politics and the law. Though Pope may not have lent much weight to the silly quarrel that inspired this work, he must have cared very deeply for the people involved. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t have spent so much time writing the poem. He must have known them well, for his approach brought them to their senses and averted a serious falling out.

The lock represents the pettiness of English society. He expresses his disdain for this pettiness through his mocking descriptions of the commotion made over the theft of the lock, the baron’s obsession with it, and the lock’s ascent to heaven.

Students may point out that the poet introduces gods, goddesses, and spirits that have a hand in what happens in the poem. This conceit deflects blame for the silly behavior away from Belinda and her cohorts and onto nonhuman creatures. The poet also presents the characters as overly grand rather than ordinary; their deeds are described as heroic rather than petty. Pope could just as easily have written an embittered, brutal attack. Instead he simply points out absurdities by exaggerating the situation until it becomes comic.

Student responses should indicate that in the same way that a true epic involves gods and goddesses, Pope incorporates sylphs and sprites into his mock epic. To further imitate the elevated style of the true epic, Pope also describes the card game in terms of a bloody battle and portrays Belinda’s actions as heroic. Examples cited should support these elements.

Sample answer: Clarissa gives the baron a pair of scissors (lines 127-130). The baron attempts to cut a lock of hair from behind Belinda’s head while Belinda bends over to sip a cup of coffee (lines 133-134). He makes three attempts to cut her hair; each time, because of the distractions of sprites, Belinda looks over her shoulder just as the baron is about to cut the lock from her hair (135-138). On his fourth attempt, the baron successfully cuts the lock of hair from Belinda’s head because the sylph does not prevent it (lines 144-154).

the theft of the lock

…

elevated style

poke fun at the spoiled upper classes.

impossible events

affectionately mocking

theft of a lock of Belinda’s hair

the hairs he has snipped from Belinda’s head.

pettiness of the nobility.

It rises into the stars.

poke fun at the spoiled upper classes.

The rich have too much time on their hands and not enough to think about.

the hairs he has snipped from Belinda’s head.

Belinda throws snuff at the Baron

lofty yet gently satirical

pettiness of the nobility.

affectionately mocking

a large pinch of snuff

theft of a lock of Belinda’s hair

It rises into the stars.

affectionately mocking

impossible events

elevated style

the hairs he has snipped from Belinda’s head

The rich have too much time on their hands and not enough to think about.

a large pinch of snuff

pettiness of the nobility.

stop

It rises into the stars.

theft of a lock of Belinda’s hair

poke fun at the spoiled upper classes.

Belinda throws snuff at the Baron

The objective of omber is described in terms of conquest (line 27-28). The faces of the cards are described as soldiers (lines 39-44). The cards of Belinda’s opponents in this game are described as “armies” (line 65). The capture of cards is described in terms of war casualties (lines 69-74).

The conversation emphasizes the preposterous nature of the conflict between Belinda and the baron. They speak to each other as if they are at war with each other (lines 50-59).

repast

The heavenly ascent of the lock mocks the romantic intrigues around which Belinda’s life has revolved (lines 83-88).

recesses

humor are Belinda’s antic conquests during the game of omber (lines 28-29), Belinda’s reaction to the baron’s winning hand (lines 89-92), the baron’s cry of triumph after he cuts the lock of Belinda’s hair (lines 161-178), or the ascent of the lock to the heavens (lines 69-88).

dejects

The lock represents the pettiness of English society. He expresses his disdain for this pettiness through his mocking descriptions of the commotion made over the theft of the lock, the baron’s obsession with it, and the lock’s ascent to heaven.

the poet introduces gods, goddesses, and spirits that have a hand in what happens in the poem. This conceit deflects blame for the silly behavior away from Belinda and her cohorts and onto nonhuman creatures. The poet also presents the characters as overly grand rather than ordinary; their deeds are described as heroic rather than petty. Pope could just as easily have written an embittered, brutal attack. Instead he simply points out absurdities by exaggerating the situation until it becomes comic.

a true epic involves gods and goddesses, Pope incorporates sylphs and sprites into his mock epic. To further imitate the elevated style of the true epic, Pope also describes the card game in terms of a bloody battle and portrays Belinda’s actions as heroic. Examples cited should support these elements.