RAPE OF LOCK AS A MOCK EPIC
An Epic is a long narrative poem written in an elevated style with a serious theme at least of national level. As a procedure the poet starts the poem with invocation to the holy spirits to assist him in this task and then plunges into the middle of the story or theme. The high sounding, bombastic and ornate language, war like speeches, ancient and mythical references and the use of supernatural machinery are some of the main features or essential ingredients of the epic writing.
On the contrary, mock epic, the very word Mock Epic itself suggests the meanings. A mock epic is a type of poetry, which is written in a mocking style or in a ridiculous manner. In this type of poetry, the poet follows all the rules and convictions of epic writing laid down by the pioneers except the seriousness of the theme. The intention of the writer of a mock-heroic is not to poke fun at the epics or their conventions and devices though the term “mock epic” or “mock-heroic” suggests such a mockery: he follows instead all the conventions of the epic in order to point out the discrepancy between the heroic form and the triviality of the subject-matter. The mock epic can be defined as:
“The mock epic is a poetic form, which uses the epic structure, but on a miniature scale and with a subject that is mean and trivial. Its purpose is satirical to make the subject look ridiculous by placing it in a frame work entirely inappropriate to it s importance”.
Though this form of epic has rarely been taken up but out of these few, Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock” is the brilliant example ever since it has been produced. The outstanding creator of this mocking poem having gone though the study of ancient epic writers like Homer, Virgil and Milton was desirous to do something in this form of writing. Pope a profound scholarly person with full command took up the very trivial theme of theft of lock of hair of a beautiful girl, transforming it into an epic just with the intention to reconcile the two estranged families on the urge of his friend Cyral.
Characteristics of “The Rape of the Lock” as a mock-epic poem:
The pope was fully conscious of his intentions to make the rape of the lock a mock heroic poem is evident from the title he has given it. Homer’s Iliad, which describes the events rising out of Helen’s elopement with a Trojan prince, can be appropriately described as a poem dealing with the “Rape of Helen”. The title of the pope’s poem –the rape of the lock- is thus a parody of the Iliad in this sense; for in this poem the “mighty contest” ensues from the rape or assault on the lock of Belinda. The title evokes nothing but the mock heroic sensation and well indicates the mock-heroic character of Pope’s work.
“What dire offence amorous causes springs,
What mighty contest rise from the trivial things”
These lines remind us the opening lines of Homer’s “Iliad”. Pope has imitated this epic device for the mock heroic purpose i.e. placing the trivial and ridiculous in the contest. These lines themselves are the manifesto of the forth-coming incidents.
After this Pope attributes an invocation to his friend, Lord Cyral, on whose instigation he has written this epic and then plunges into the middle of the story presenting the main characters of the poem. First of all Belinda, whose one of the locks is raped and whole of the situation arises, is presented.
“Sol through white curtains shot a timorous ray,
And oped those eyes that must eclipse a day.”
The whole structure in “The Rape of the lock” is cast in the epic mould, but it could not be a serious epic because the incident is trivial. The poem is divided into cantos like an epic poem, and there are ironical parallels to the main incident of the epic. The poem begins with an invocation like in epics. As in epics, in “The Rape of the Lock”, too, divine beings are portrayed. Belinda is in the divine care of the sylphs. But then the sylphs are fragile, airy beings and they are helpless before the caprice of men. Despite all their concern for Belinda, her beautiful lock is raped by the naughty Baron. There is a mischievous gnome, too, who like Milton’s “Satan” is intent upon making Belinda miserable and thereby all her admirers.
Pope following the set convictions of classical epic writings, in place of supernatural machinery like gods, angels, good or bad spirits, use sylph, gnomes and Ariel’s etc to fulfill the essential requirements of epic traditions.
War like situations has been created on the table during card game and the flavour of defeat and victory has been elaborated in game very mockingly. War-like bombastic speeches of Ariel and Gnome remind us of the speeches delivered by epic heroes in various epics. For instance in “Paradise Lost” Satan, in the deep ditches of hell shows grandeur and leadership quality with his speeches working as whip for the fallen angels. He proves to an un-yielding and undefeatable hero, when he says,
“What though the field be lost
All is not lost, the unconquered will,
Ariel and Gnome’s speeches are the parody of the same in “Rape of the Lock”. The use of ornate language, imbued with ancient and Biblical phrases, similes, simply reflect, Pope’s knowledge and learning. He has used the words in accordance with the situation. The words and phrases used by Pope some time go beyond the appropriateness.
Hazlitt has called the poem ‘the perfection of the mock-epic’. In it, not a single poem, but the whole type or style of literature is parodied; the language and thought, proper to a serious theme are reproduced in describing something ridiculous or trivial. The eighteenth Century with its passion for the ancients, was familiar with the whole epic tradition and conventions. Pope makes the framework of his poem a parody of the epic tradition. The most crucial parallel to epic is the scene which occurs just before the cutting of the lock, when Ariel discovers the secret longing of the beautiful Belinda.
“Sudden he viewed, in spite of all her art,
An earthly lover lurking at her heart.
Amazed, confused, he found his power expired,
Resigned to fate, and with a sigh retired.”
The situation is apparently an echo of the moment in “paradise Lost” when, after the fall of Adam and Eve, the angle retire, to heavenly abode feeling sorry for them. Pope called “The Rape of the lock” a heroic-comical poem. Instead of grand passions and great fights between heroes in which the immortals take part, we have as the theme of “The Rape of the lock” a petty amorous quarrel assisted by the spirits of the air. The epic portrays an age round the personality of a god or semi god, and its characters are heroes. “The rape of the lock”, on the other hand, gives us a picture of fashionable society. The central figure in that picture is a pretty society girl, and the other characters are a rash youth, a foolish dandy and few frivolous women.
An epic poem must contain episodes also. In keeping with this practice Pope has introduced the episodes of the game of Omber which is described in great detail. There is also the hazardous journey of Umbriel to the Cave of Spleen. Then there is the battle between the lords and ladies just like the battles in epic poetry. But in true mock-heroic style this battle is fought with fans and snuff instead of with swords and spears. There are single combats also between Belinda and the Baron and between Clarissa and Sir Plume.
Every artist is a reformer at heart and Pope following this technique moralizes the society through his inventiveness i.e mock-epic. Pope not only both main characters, Belinda and Lord Petre, rather present the whole society’s picture very realistically in a way that we feel that we are passing though that particular period. For instance, Pope portrays the activities of Blinds and general social and moral attitude of the youth in general.
“With varying vanities from every part,
They shift the moving toyshop of their heart,
Where wigs with wigs and with sword knot sword knot strive,
Beaus banish beaus and coaches coaches drive”
Pope has very realistically and satirically portrayed the activities of the youth in general. Similarly the activities in Hampton court as described in “The Rape of Lock” by Pope are the best example of the trivial and petty attitude of the people of 18th century.
“In various talks, instructive hours they passed,
Who gave the ball and paid the visit last,
One speaks the glory of the British queen,
Other describes the charming Indian screen,
Third interprets the motions, looks and eyes,
At every word a reputation dies.”
