What is the summary of Absalom and Achitophel?
What is the summary of Absalom and Achitophel?
These chapters relate the story of King David’s favourite son Absalom and his false friend Achitophel (Ahithophel), who persuades Absalom to revolt against his father. In his poem, Dryden assigns each figure in the crisis a biblical name; e.g., Absalom is Monmouth, Achitophel is Shaftesbury, and David is Charles II.
What is the main theme of Absalom and Achitophel?
His “Absalom and Achitophel” is regarded as not simply a satire, but a poem as Dryden himself calls it “a poem.” The central theme is : Temptation, sin, fall and punishment.
Why am I Scanted by a Niggard birth?
Why am I scanted by a niggard-birth? My soul disclaims the kindred of her earth: And made for empire, whispers me within; Desire of greatness is a god-like sin.
Who convinces the king that his son is being used as a tool by Achitophel?
Corah (Titus Oates), rebellious Israelite (Whig) chieftains whose characters are sketched by the poet. Amiel (Edward Seymour), loyal Israelite (Tory) chieftains who convince King David (Charles II) that his son Absalom (the duke of Monmouth) is being used as a tool by Achitophel (the earl of Shaftesbury).
Who does Absalom represent in Absalom and Achitophel?
Absalom metaphorically represents Charles II’s illegitimate son James Scott, the 1st Duke of Monmouth, who rebelled against Charles and the throne in Dryden’s time.
Why Dryden wrote Absalom and Achitophel?
He wrote the poem during the threat of revolution in England, connected to the so-called Popish plot and the move to exclude the reigning King Charles II’s Catholic brother, James, duke of York, from his right to follow the Protestant Charles to the throne.
What type of satire is Absalom and Achitophel?
Satire. 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”.
Who is Zimri in Absalom and Achitophel?
In the Bible, Zimri is king of Israel for seven days, but he is no real threat to David or the throne in “Absalom and Achitophel.” Zimri likely represents George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, an English statesman and poet who had disgraced himself in war, organized an unsuccessful plot against the government.
Who are represented through the characters of Absalom and Achitophel?
In “Absalom and Achitophel,” he represents William, Lord Howard Esrick, a Puritan preacher who supported the Exclusion Bill. One of David’s trusted men. According to the Bible, Zadock is the High Priest of Israel, and in Dryden’s poem he represents William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, a supporter of Charles II.
What cause does Dryden champion in Absalom and Achitophel?
In Absalom and Achitophel, Dryden writes as a pen for the Tory party. He champions the Stuart cause, condemning Monmouth (Absalom) and especially the Earl of Shaftesbury (Achitophel), endorsing patriarchalism (the concept that the monarchy held absolute power) over populism.
What made Dryden write Absalom and Achitophel?
Who was first poet laureate?
John Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate in 1668 by Charles II and there has been an unbroken line of Poet Laureates ever since. However, a number of poets were appointed as Laureate before that. These include Geoffrey Chaucer, John Skelton, and Ben Jonson.
What does Achitophel tell Absalom about David?
Achitophel flatters Absalom with compliments of his superior virtue and reminds him that David, too, had to answer a call to the throne when he was in exile in Gath. The people are restless and crying for a new king, and Achitophel is sure if Absalom joins their cries with his royal blood, the people will choose him as their king.
How does Absalom feel about Corah?
Worse yet is Corah, who engineered the plot. He is a priest, and his memory is impeccable. Thus, the people fail to see his deceit. Surrounded by such men, Absalom addresses the people. He claims he is outraged by their troubles, and he wishes he could suffer on their behalf.
Who is “false Achitophel”?
Some even oppose David from within the government, and the most influential of these men is “false Achitophel .” Achitophel is smart and accomplished, ambitious of power, and has flexible morals. He wants to either completely take over the government or destroy it, and he pretends to befriend David to accomplish just that.
Why does Absalom tell everyone that David is a Jebusite?
Achitophel is smart and accomplished, ambitious of power, and has flexible morals. He wants to either completely take over the government or destroy it, and he pretends to befriend David to accomplish just that. Absalom stokes Israel’s discontent and tells everyone that David is a Jebusite.
