The Mock-Heroic Genre in 'The Rape of the Lock'

Overview of 'The Rape of the Lock'

'The Rape of the Lock' is a mock-heroic narrative poem by Alexander Pope, written in the early 18th century. It humorously exaggerates a minor high society incident—the cutting of a lock of Arabella Fermor's hair by Lord Petre—into an epic affair. Commissioned by their mutual acquaintance, John Caryll, Pope's poem aimed to reconcile the two families by making light of the situation. The work, which began as a two-canto piece, was expanded to five cantos, incorporating a blend of real and fictional characters, as well as sylphs and gnomes from the realm of the supernatural. The term "rape" in the title is used in its archaic sense, meaning "to snatch or carry away," and is not associated with sexual violence. Pope's poem is a classic example of the mock-heroic genre, using the elevated language and style of epic poetry to satirize a trivial event.

Character Profiles in 'The Rape of the Lock'

In 'The Rape of the Lock,' Alexander Pope introduces a cast of characters that parody the roles of heroes and deities found in traditional epics. Belinda, inspired by the real Arabella Fermor, is the poem's central figure, a beautiful young woman whose main concern is her appearance, particularly her hair. Her pet, Shock, is a minor character symbolizing the trivial concerns of the aristocracy. The sylph Ariel, Belinda's guardian spirit, leads a band of airy beings who assist her in maintaining her beauty and social grace. The Baron, representing Lord Petre, is the poem's antagonist, obsessed with cutting a lock of Belinda's hair. Clarissa, a friend who initially aids the Baron by providing the scissors, later delivers a moralizing speech that goes unheeded. Umbriel, a gnome, travels to the underworld to fetch sorrow and despair to plague Belinda, while Sir Plume, a caricature of a foppish nobleman, is ineffectually drawn into the dispute.

The Poem's Structure and Summary

'The Rape of the Lock' is structured into five cantos, each contributing to the mock-epic narrative. The poem opens with an invocation to the muse, setting a mock-serious tone for the "vast" consequences of "trivial" actions. Pope introduces Belinda and the protective sylphs, establishing the satirical tone. The narrative follows Belinda's journey on the Thames, the Baron's scheming, and the sylphs' failed attempts to thwart him. A card game at Hampton Court Palace serves as an allegorical battlefield, culminating in the Baron's seizure of Belinda's hair. The subsequent canto depicts Umbriel's venture into the Cave of Spleen to obtain a bag of woes, which he unleashes upon Belinda. The final canto features a mock-battle among the characters, with Clarissa's speech advocating for moral values over vanity, and the poem concludes with the lock's transformation into a celestial body.

Mock-Heroic Elements and Poetic Style

Alexander Pope's 'The Rape of the Lock' epitomizes the mock-heroic genre, employing the grandiose style of epic poetry to comically depict a minor social incident. The poem is filled with allusions to classical mythology and epic battles, contrasting the lofty style with the pettiness of the event. Pope's use of heroic couplets—pairs of rhymed iambic pentameter lines—mimics the form of traditional epics, while the content satirizes the triviality of the social elite's concerns. The poem's structure and meter demonstrate Pope's skill as a poet, and the juxtaposition of style and subject matter creates a humorous and critical portrayal of the event.

Social Satire in 'The Rape of the Lock'

'The Rape of the Lock' is not only a work of humor but also a pointed social satire of the 18th-century British aristocracy. Pope critiques the era's preoccupation with outward beauty, luxury, and social status. The characters' obsessions and the poem's events reflect the superficiality Pope observed in the society around him. Clarissa's speech, which calls for a focus on virtue rather than vanity, represents Pope's satirical message. Her advice, however, is disregarded, underscoring the depth of the societal shallowness Pope sought to expose. The poem remains a significant work for its clever blend of wit and social critique, offering insight into the cultural values of Pope's time.