Introduction:-
The poem was written during a tumultuous period in English history known as the Exclusion Crisis. This crisis revolved around the question of whether King Charles II's Catholic brother, James, should be excluded from the line of succession to the throne due to his religion. Protestant Englishmen were concerned about a Catholic monarch, fearing a return to religious persecution and a potential alliance with Catholic France.
In "Absalom and Achitophel," Dryden uses the biblical story of King David and his rebellious son Absalom as a parallel to the political situation in England. He portrays Charles II as King David, his illegitimate son the Duke of Monmouth as Absalom, and the Duke of Buckingham as Achitophel, a scheming counselor who manipulates Absalom into rebelling against his father.
The poem is a scathing critique of those who supported the exclusion of James from the throne and paints them as traitors and plotters. It also defends the legitimacy of Charles II's rule and argues against rebellion and religious intolerance.
"Absalom and Achitophel" is considered one of Dryden's most significant works and a masterpiece of political satire in English literature. It not only addresses the specific political events of its time but also delves into broader themes of loyalty, legitimacy, and the consequences of political ambition.
∆ Themes of the poem Absalom And Achitophel:-
"Absalom and Achitophel" is a satirical poem written by John Dryden in 1681. It is an allegorical work that uses biblical characters and events to comment on the political situation in England during the late 17th century. The poem explores several key themes:
1.Politics and Power:-
The central theme of the poem is politics and the pursuit of power. It uses the biblical story of King David and his rebellious son Absalom to allegorically represent the political turmoil in England, particularly the Exclusion Crisis and the struggle for the throne. Dryden critiques the political machinations and ambitions of the time. The poem is filled with rich language and allegorical characters that represent real political figures and events. Here are some quotes from the poem that reflect the theme of politics and power:
1. On the King (Charles II):
- "But kings, like stars, untroubled, have their course, / Heaven’s the republick’s, but the kings’ the force."
This quote emphasizes the idea that while heaven (the divine) governs the nation, it's the king's authority and power that provide stability.
2. On Absalom (representing the Duke of Monmouth):
- "The people’s prayer, the glad diviner’s theme, / The young men’s vision, and the old men’s dream."
This line depicts Absalom as a charismatic and popular figure, highlighting his political appeal and the hope he represents for the people.
3. On Achitophel (representing the Earl of Shaftesbury):
- "A daring pilot in extremity; / Pleased with the danger, when the waves went high / He sought the storms; but, for a calm unfit, / Would steer too nigh the sands to boast his wit."
This quote characterizes Achitophel as a cunning political manipulator who thrives in chaos and crisis, taking advantage of troubled times for his gain.
4. On Absalom's Ambition:
- "Ambitious, bold, and impious,—unrestrained / By piety, by fear, or shame,—he aimed."
This line highlights Absalom's unbridled ambition for power, showing how political ambition can lead to impious actions.
5. On the People's Fickleness:
- "Changing the event, with Kings to party join'd; / Not weighed, but lightly flung by every wind."
This quote speaks to the fickleness of the people in politics, how they can switch allegiances depending on the political climate.
6. On the Stability of Monarchy:
- "Great families of yesterday, and kings, / Like roots of weeds, no man now knows their springs."
This line underscores the idea that monarchy, with its long history and stability, contrasts with the short-lived power of political factions.
2.Biblical Allegory:-
This work is considered one of the greatest examples of political satire in history, and it accomplishes this through biblical allegory. England was a far more literate country than many others at the time, but even so, if most people actually owned a book, that book was likely to be the Bible. The Bible acted as metaphor for most Christians to a level far exceeding anything else ever published, and Dryden was well aware of that. Therefore, he made the brilliant calculation to not cast his satire as an allegory of ancient myth or British heroes: instead, his satire is situated within an allegorical framework that nearly every reader would immediately understand.
1. Absalom as Monmouth (Duke of Monmouth): The poem's central character, Absalom, represents James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, an illegitimate son of Charles II. The name "Absalom" alludes to the biblical figure who rebelled against his father, King David. Dryden describes Absalom as follows:
> "The graceless youth, thus tampered to betray,
> Told all their sev'ral votes, and who they were
> That shar'd the counsel for the publick war."
This quote highlights Absalom's betrayal, drawing parallels with Absalom's betrayal of his father in the Bible.
2. Achitophel as Shaftesbury (the Earl of Shaftesbury): Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, the Earl of Shaftesbury, a key figure in the Exclusion Crisis. In the poem, he is depicted as a cunning and manipulative character:
> "Achitophel, grown weary to possess
> A lawless pow'r, nor would endure success."
This quote underscores Achitophel's lust for power and his role in fomenting rebellion.
3.Zimri as Buckingham (the Duke of Buckingham): Zimri symbolizes George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, another prominent political figure at the time. The poem describes Zimri's erratic behavior and influence:
> "But far more numerous was the herd of such
> Who think too little and who talk too much."
This quote criticizes Zimri for his rash actions and lack of discretion, reflecting Buckingham's role in political intrigue.
4. David as Charles II: King David, a biblical figure, represents Charles II in the poem. Dryden portrays Charles as a wise and patient ruler who seeks reconciliation:
> "David, of tott'ring age,
> In loose attire, with glitt'ring stars begirt,
> Pale beams of majesty appear'd on high,
> And o'er his arm the golden sceptre hung."
This quote emphasizes Charles II's regal qualities and his desire for peace and stability.
5. The Biblical Parallels: Throughout the poem, Dryden weaves in biblical allusions and parallels to underscore the political situation in England. The story of Absalom's rebellion against King David is used as a mirror to reflect the political turmoil of the time.
In "Absalom and Achitophel," Dryden masterfully employs biblical allegory to comment on the political intrigue and strife of his era, making it a significant work in English literature and political satire.
3. Religion:-
Religion plays a significant role in the poem, reflecting the religious tensions of the period. Dryden portrays the conflict between the Protestant majority and the Catholic minority in England through the characters of Achitophel (the Duke of Monmouth's advisor) and Zimri (a Catholic). While the poem primarily deals with political themes, it also touches on religious elements. Here are some quotes and explanations that highlight the religious theme in the poem:
1. "Great crimes alarm the conscience, like a flood; / They trouble us, till we have purged the blood: / Nor can repentance set the soul at ease / That's not yet sprinkled with the Saviour's blood."
- This quote reflects the idea of repentance and the need for salvation through the Savior's blood. It alludes to the importance of religious redemption and cleansing one's sins, which is a common theme in Christianity.
2. "That's judge-bought power, that worst of crimes, forestalls / Even for our lives to come, the heavenly mansion walls; / The bold blasphemers stand in awe of those / Whom God and Nature chose his voice to raise / To feed the flock."
- This passage references the divine authority and the idea that those chosen by God (like religious leaders) should be revered. It implies that the manipulation of religious sentiment for political gain is a severe offense.
3. "Our Church with swelling sails the sea divides, / The Common Prayer Book our great convoy guides."
- Here, the Church is portrayed as a guiding force, using religious rituals like the Common Prayer Book to navigate through the turbulent waters of political intrigue. It emphasizes the connection between religion and politics.
4. "That saith his monarch doth, as truly bleed / His subject's wrongs as his own princely need; / And hath for his own interest too much grace / To suffer a religion in his place / (Religion!) with his sword to cut it down, / And throw the pieces back on the vulgar town."
- This quote touches upon the manipulation of religion for political purposes. It suggests that a true monarch should not misuse religion as a tool to suppress dissent or promote his own interests.
5. "Of fifty priests for David's fane decreed, / Ten only chose to serve; and then proceed / To frame a second priesthood, and the rest / To fill the court of their young Naboths, pressed."
- This quote alludes to the biblical story of Naboth's vineyard and the corruption of religious institutions. It highlights how some individuals within the religious hierarchy may be swayed by political power and betray their sacred duties.
In "Absalom and Achitophel," religion serves as a backdrop against which the political intrigue and power struggles of the time are portrayed. It underscores the importance of religious principles and the dangers of manipulating them for personal or political gain.
4. Paternity and Patriarchy:-
There are numerous evocations of fathers and sons in this poem. David is the father of Absalom, but God is his Father. David is the patriarch of the land and must put aside his earthly fatherly feelings for Absalom in order to do his own Father's bidding. Absalom loves his father and wishes to emulate him, but whereas David is god-like, Absalom is purely a man. A parallel to Absalom is Barzillai's son, who remains untarnished in his reputation because he served his post faithfully (and even died for it). If David is to be the father to the people and to retain his paternal authority bestowed from God, then he must set his earthly son in his place.
5. Charles's Fitness for the Throne:-
One of Dryden's main points in this allegory is that Charles is fit for the throne. He does not excuse his faults, beginning the poem with a frank admission of Charles's propensity to sire illegitimate children throughout the land and his discomfort with Charles's initial reluctance to step in to deal with Monmouth, but he makes the case that that behavior does not stack up against Charles's legitimate power as the rightful monarch. Through David's speech, Dryden makes it clear that Charles is implementing the law, and that the law is above the people. Charles is its faithful arbiter and is keeping the balance in the state. Even though, as critic Randy Robertson points out, Dryden begins the poem with "Charles the father, the 'personal monarch,' who helps populate England with subjects," he ends with the assertion that "law reigns above the king" and "the gavel comes down like an axe: Charles metes out justice impersonally."
∆ conclusion:-
The poem "Absalom and Achitophel" by John Dryden primarily explores the theme of political betrayal and manipulation. It tells the biblical story of King David's rebellious son, Absalom, and the cunning advisor, Achitophel, but uses it as an allegory to comment on the political events of Dryden's time, particularly the Exclusion Crisis in 17th-century England. The poem concludes with a warning about the dangers of political intrigue and the importance of loyalty to the legitimate ruler. In short, the poem's conclusion underscores the idea that political stability depends on true allegiance to the rightful authority.
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