The Rape of the Lock- Analisys and Summary.

Let´s start talking about the author, Alexander Pope: He was born in London in 1688. Because he was a Roman Catholic living in a predominately Protestant society, he was largely excluded from the university system and therefore was self-taught, for the most part. At the age of twelve, he contracted tuberculosis, a disease that left him stunted and misshapen. Consequently, he suffered a great deal of emotional trauma and social anxiety. His only tool for interaction was his incredible wit and talent for writing. He soon formed a number of lifelong friendships in London's prestigious literary circles, and found his happiness there. Pope is probably the most famous writer from the Age of Reason, and his works are the most widely studied form this time period today.

Now we shall make a small analisys of Canto I, inside this interesting book: In the opening of the book, Pope show us that the poem has a mock-heroic tone. In the tradition of epic poetry, Pope opens the poem by invoking a muse, but rather than invoke one of the mythic Greek muses, Pope leaves the muse anonymous and instead dedicates the poem to John Caryll, the man who commissioned the poem. The first verse-paragraph also introduces Pope’s epic subject matter: a war arising from “amorous causes”

The second verse-paragraph encapsulates Pope’s subversion of the epic genre. The irony of pairing epic characteristics with lowly human characters contributes to Pope’s mock-heroic style. poem. Rather than distinguish the subjects of the poem as in a traditional epic, Pope uses the mock-heroic genre to elevate and ridicule his subjects simultaneously, creating a satire that chides society for its misplaced values and emphasis on trivial matters.

We can summaryze the firts Canto as a exploration of the role of the coquette. Pope demonstrates that womanly priorities are limited to personal pleasures and social aspirations.

And finally my friends, let´s do a small summary as the point of view a reader: The action of this fragment begins with the rising sun awakening the residents of a wealthy household. Though everyone, including the lapdogs, has risen, Belinda remains asleep. She dreams of a handsome youth who informs her that she is protected by a “thousand bright inhabitants of air:” spirits that were once human women who now protect virgins. The youth explains that after a woman dies, her spirit returns to elemental form; namely, to fire, water, earth, and air. Each element is characterized by different types of women. Termagants or scolds become fire spirits or Salamanders. Indecisive women become water spirits. Prudes or women who delight in rejecting men become Gnomes (earth spirits). Coquettes become Sylphs (air spirits).The dream is sent to Belinda by Ariel, “her guardian Sylph”
At the end of the dream, Ariel warns Belinda of an impending “dread event,” urging her to “Beware of all, but most beware of Man”. Belinda is then awoken by her dog, Shock.
Well, if you find my analisys quite long and boring, don´t worry you can also see this intesting video-analisys in You Tube.