A Coquettish Battle of False Ideals in Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock
In its mock-epic treatment of social values of the 18th century, Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock satirizes trivial ideals of society. In doing this, the poem subverts the heroic ideals of epic tradition such as honour, good reputation and virtue into vanity. The aim of this paper is to examine this subversion through the roles of men and women in the poem. In accordance with this aim, it is discussed that the passion of traditional epic heroes for victory becomes passion of lords and barons pursuing ladies for individual satisfaction. In achieving this satisfaction, baron is drawn as a figure of levity while his aim Belinda is conditioned within male force and rape.
Keywords: mock-epic, subversion of heroic ideals, satire
A Coquettish Battle of False Ideals in Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock
In its mock-epic treatment of social values of the 18th century, Alexander Pope’s The Rape of the Lock satirizes trivial ideals of society. In doing this, the poem subverts the heroic ideals of epic tradition such as honour, good reputation and virtue into vanity. The aim of this paper is to examine this subversion through the roles of men and women in the poem. In accordance with this aim, it is discussed that the passion of traditional epic heroes for victory becomes passion of lords and barons pursuing ladies for individual satisfaction. In achieving this satisfaction, baron is drawn as a figure of levity while his aim Belinda is conditioned within male force and rape.
Anahtar Kelimeler: mock-epic, subversion of heroic ideals, satire