Pope Flashcards
What is the age in which Pope was writing referred to?
The English “Augustan” Age; it was the height of Neo-Classicism and many great English writers lived during this time.
What are some neo-classical key words Pope employs in “An Essay On Criticism”?
- ancients
- Nature
- rules
- wit
- genius
An Essay on Criticism: What is the topic of this poem?
The state of literary criticism during Pope’s time. Pope contends that bad literary criticism does harm to good writing. In this essay, Pope refines his own opinions on what is necessary for good writing and good criticism – all while getting in a number of barbs at his detractors.
An Essay on Criticism: Famous quotes?
“To err is human, to forgive, divine”
“A little learning is a dangerous thing;
Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.”
An Essay on Criticism: What is a frequently used word in the poem whose meaning is ambiguous?
“Wit”. It occurs very frequently, but is not clearly defined. He does provide some specific advice to critics, but frequently notes that they must also have innate “wit” and intuition – these terms are left vague.
An Essay on Criticism: What are a few of Pope’s rules for poetry/criticism?
- Style should be suited to subject
- Poetry that merely sounds nice, and has no
substance, should not be praised. - Don’t praise too much or criticize any little bit of poetry; look at the whole
- The ancients are awesome, yes; but you should also appreciate modern writers
- Don’t conflate a man with his writing
- Be constant and confident in your opinions; don’t follow the trends
An Essay on Criticism: What is a resonance with Johnson and Swift?
Pope’s commentary on changing language:
“Our sons their fathers’ failing language see,
And such as Chaucer is, shall Dryden be.”
An Essay on Criticism: Give a brief breakdown of each of the three parts.
Part 1: Pope asserts that truly great critics are as rare as great poets, and lists attributes that a poet should have. Some topics of particular attention are “Nature” and study of ancient sources.
Part 2: Pope delineates some common causes of faulty criticism and offers advice.
Part 3: Pope reiterates some of the points he made about what it takes to be a good critic. You don’t have to be faultless, but you have to be willing to correct your errors and not rely too much on what others say.
Who was one of Pope’s close friends and reader/critic of his work?
Addison
The Rape of the Lock: What epic does this poem parody?
The Aeneid, the Iliad and Paradise Lost – famous epics of his time.
The Rape of the Lock: How does this poem end?
The lock rises to heaven as a constellation (apotheosis)
The Rape of the Lock: What are some epic tropes used/inverted in this poem?
- The parade of troops (sylphs assigned to guard different parts of Belinda, even the cosmetics on her dressing table
- Prophecy/descent of Mercury (sprite Ariel portends disaster)
- Descent into the underworld (Umbriel goes to the Cave of Spleen)
- Famed history of weapons (the bodkin Belinda uses to threaten the Baron
The Rape of the Lock: What is the significance of the Spleen?
It symbolized melancholy, “the vapours”, peevishness
The Rape of the Lock: What is described as a mock heroic battle?
A card game
The Rape of the Lock: Who is the historical figure Belinda is based on?
Arabella Fermor
