Criticism of alexander pope
Criticism of alexander popeAlexander Pope
Born in the city of London, Alexander Pope is regarded to as the leading 18th century English poet, and as the greatest of all English verse satirists. His father and mother being Roman Catholics were prohibited from living within ten miles of London due to new acts of Parliament in the late 1600's. Between 1696 and 1700 Pope was tutored at home by a priest, and then enrolled in two Catholic schools, but was mainly self-educated. Due to his religion at the time, it was impossible for him to follow a career and be permitted to enroll in a university.
Being able to read Latin, Greek French and Italian at a very young age he was already writing verses and at the age of sixteen didn't know that his later writings would be published as his "Pastorals."(The New Enc. Britannica; Vol. 9,605) In 1700 the Pope family moved to Whithill house at
Binfield in Winsor Forest, up till then Pope was a healthy child until 5 years after their move he was diagnosed with tubercular bone disease. Throughout his life he would refer to it as "long Disease, my life."(http://landlow .stg.brown.edu/c32/pope/bio.html) The disease left him frail, likely to obtain various other illnesses, humpbacked, and fully-grown at a height of only four and a half feet. In his early twenties he frequently visited London and became acquainted with the literary publishers there, including Wychereley and Walsh (Collier's Encyclopedia, 397) In 1709 the "Pastorals," Popes first published work, appeared in Tonsong's Poetical Miscellanies. (Collier's Encyclopedia, 397)
After his first published work "Pastorals," Pope's confidence in his writings grew. As his poems grew in numbers his topics became more abstract. In Pope's composition of "An Essay of Man," pope thought of the happiness, worship and glory in his description of man. As he composed his poem he made a first draft in which was called, "other harmony." (Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 635) His idea of creating a poem for the description of man involved the topics of human life and manners. In his poem he describes man with their greater parts, their extent,
their limits and their connection. (Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 636)
In Popes first Epistle of "An Essay of Man," he opens the poem with a description of life and describes it as "A mighty Maze!" His first stanza of the poem brings together the elements of life within nature and how there are limits in life. Alexander uses imagery to show the limits and downfall of life in his first stanza.
"A Mighty Maze! But not without a plan;
Or wild, where weeds and flow'rs promiscuous shoot;
Or Garden, tempting with forbidden fruit.
Together let us beat this ample Field,…….."
(Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 636)
In the following lines of Alexander Pope's first stanza of "An Essay of Man," he describes life as being a maze, which would symbolize the ups and downs of life, and all the obstacles that are within life. Pope refers to a Garden with forbidden fruit, the garden mentioned can be referred to as the garden where Adam and Eve were tempted by the forbidden fruit. To show an example of obstacles that man had faced in the beginning of life he mentions the
biblical story of Adam and Eve. Towards the end of pope's first stanza he expresses in words the limitations of life and how limits control man. As the poem continues Pope refers to God as the highest being on earth and his description on how the world is made. "See Worlds on Worlds compose one Universe, Observe how System into System runs……… May tell, why Heav'n has made us as we are." (Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 636)
While reading the rest of Alexander Pope's Epistle I, Pope often refers to Man and their choices in life. Pope uses people as examples in his poem to describe how in life there are choices. Described in the poem, Pope says that life isn't a life without choices. People are given obstacles to overcome and it's their choice to go through them or around them. There is always a pro and con to each action but not understood until it has happened. In popes conclusion to the first Epistle of "An Essay on Man" he says, "Whatever Is, is RIGHT."(Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 639) Overall Epistle I describes the universe and how the world is put perfectly together because it is God's work.
Along with his four other Epistles ,"An Essay of Man" can be seen as the best philosophical poem ever written.
With its overwhelming words and symbolism within each Epistle Pope's poem became one of the most notable poems ever written in the eighteenth century. Along with his poem his place in society rouse. "He is one of the most quotable of all English Authors."(Kuntiz, British Authors Before 1800, 412)
In his epistle to his friend Dr. Arbuthnot, Alexander Pope defends his position as a writer and as a satirist. Pope's "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" is in essence an apologia, or a means for him to defend his own poetry. (Perkins, A history of Modern Poetry, 349) Through the course of the epistle, Pope makes references to the politics of England, while sarcastically criticizing it. Pope also talks about his literary ancestors, including his English predecessors and Classical Greek writers. "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" is written in the tradition of the characteristics of eighteenth century literature. What makes "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" by Alexander Pope unique is his use of first person and dialogue format.
Through the use of satire, Pope suggests that men should actually try to be poets rather than the listeners. They are unable to do this because they have fallen prey to pride, man's essential flaw.
"A man's true merit' tis not hard to find;
But each man's secret standard in his mind,
That casting weight pride adds to emptiness…"
(Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 663)
In an attempt to inspire his own writing, Alexander Pope places himself above his main critics by putting himself above the great English poets that proceeded him. This suggests to readers that he is at their level of genius and reason. Pope suggests that these literary masters have embraced his work:
"Well-natured Garth inflamed with early praise,
And Congreve loved, and Swift endured my lays…
With open arms received one poet more.
Happy my studies, when by these approved!
Happier their author, when by these beloved."
(Waingrew, Eighteenth English Lit, 663)
"Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" Pope argues that pride, which is related to the lack of personal writing experience. He suggests that only the true geniuses, such as the great writers before him, can only overcome this pride to achieve reason. Alexander Pope's mastery of satire, the heroic couplet, and his stylistic approach of writing (both in first person and in a dialogue format) that makes "Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" and all of his other poems and writings admired and understood throughout history.