Explanations of Absalom and Achitophel
Explanations of Absalom and Achitophel
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Of these the false Achitophel………turbulent of wit.
Ref. to Context- These lines have been taken from “The False Achitophel” an extract from Absalom and Achitophel, a verse satire composed by John Dryden.
“The False Achitophel” gives the satiric portrayal of Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-83), the first Earl of Shaftesbury. Shaftesbury opposed the succession of the Duke of York, catholic brother of the king and encouraged Charles’s illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, to assert his claims. His action reminded Dryden of the biblical story of David, Absalom and Achitophel. Achitophel was counsellor to king David. He later turned traitor and incited Absalom, one of the king’s numerous bastards, to rebel against his father.
Dryden has designated Shaftesbury to ‘false Achitophel in order to distinguish him from his biblical namesake.
Explanation- The poet says that all people opposing the king, the earl of Shaftesbury or the false Achitophel was the foremost. He would be remembered by posterity as someone evil as he was fit only for secret scheming and cunning advice. He was intelligent and daring but possessed an agitated mind. He was unstable and tickle-minded and also perverted.
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A daring plot in extremity………… boast his wit.
Ref. & Context- These lines occur in “The False Achitophel” an extract from John Dryden’s famous verse. Satire entitled Absalom and Achitophel.
“The False Achtophel” gives the satiric portrayal of Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-83), the first Earl of Shaftesbury. The poet calls him Achitophel because he betrayed king Charles II just as Achitophel had betrayed king David.
Explanation- Throwing light on the character of the Earl of Shaftesbury, the poet says that he could provide bold leadership in troubled times. He relished the stormy situations and loved to play with dangers. He always looked for new adventures but he was not fit for the times of peace and so he deliberately acted rashly in order to display his skills.
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Great wits are sure to madness…………..hours of rest?
Ref. & Context- These lines have been extracted from “The False Achitophel” an extract itself from John Dryden’s famous verse-satire, Absalom and Achitophel.
“The False Achitophel” satirically portrays the character of Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-83), the first Earl of Shaftesbury. The poet calls him Achitophel because he betrayed king Charles II just as Achitophel had betrayed the biblical king David.
Explanation- Echoing Shakespeare the poet says that genius and madness are closely related and there is a very thin line dividing the two. The implication is that the Earl of Shaftesbury was a genius with a streak of insanity. He behaved strangely. He was wealthy and honourable. As he had everything he didn’t need to exert his body of all. Moreover, he was old and his body needed rest but instead of living in peace he engaged in all sorts of strenuous activities and made his body further weak.
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Resolved to ruin……………….a foreign yoke.
Ref. & Context- This passage is an extract from “The False Achitophel” extracted from the famous verse-satire entitled Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden.
“The False Achitophel” gives the satiric portrayal of Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-83), the first Earl of Saftesbury. The poet calls him Achitophel because he betrayed king Charles II just as Achitophel had betrayed king David.
Explanation- Highlighting the villanious aspect Shaftesbury’s personality the poet says that he was merciless and treacherous. He was determined either to wreck his country or to rule it according to his will. To achieve his goal he violated the triple alliance of England, Holland and Sweden against France by instigating war against Holland. He, thus, put the peace and secured his country to jeopardy and brought to the brink of subject of its neighbour, France.
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How safe is treason…………..they find their own.
Ref. & Context- These lines occur in “The False Achitophel” an extract from John Dryden’s famous verse satire entitled Absalom and Achitophel.
“The False Achitophel” is about Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first Earl of Shaftesbury. But in these lines the poet has satirized the public and democratic normal.
Explanation- Satirizing the public opinion the poet says that people forgive all sorts of misdeeds committed under the name of patriotism. In periods of internal trouble it is very easy to wash one’s hands of one’s crimes by attributing them to the public cause. People’s support turns treachery into loyalty and evil, into good. Popular approval can cancel all guilt. No act in illegal unless people take notice of it and for the most part people see their won weaknesses reflected in their evil leaders.
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Yet fume deserved………. or hands more clean.
Ref. & Context- These lines have bene taken from “The False Achitophel” an extract from Absalom and Achitophel, a verse satire composed by John Dryden.
“The False Achitophel” gives a satiric portrayal of the character of Anthony Ashley Cooper, the first Earl of Saftesbury. Shaftesbury was a villanous person but he had some good qualities, too. Here, the poet focuses on his merits.
Explanation- The poet says that none could deny fame to Shaftesbury. As a politician he was most contemptible but as a judge and legal authority he was most worthy of admiration. As a judge he had no rival in the whole of England. He was impartial, wise and honest. He could not be influenced with bribes, he gave prompt relief to the victims and he could be easily approached.
Notes― Israel here means England. Abbethdin was presiding judge of Jewish civil Court.
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Or had the rankness……. one immortal song.
Ref. & Context— These are the concluding lives of “The False Achitophel” extracted from John Dryden’s famous verse, satire, Absalom and Achitophel.
“The False Achitophel” gives the satiric portrayal of Anthony Ashley Cooper (1621-83), the first Earl of Shaftesbury. The poet calls him Achitophel because he betrayed king Charles II just as Achitophel had betrayed king David.
Shaftesbury was a falented person. He was an excellent judge. He was wise and honest. But he abused his abilities by opposing and intriguing against the king. In these lines the poet feels sorry for him.
Explanation- The poet says that if Saftesbury had remained contented with his role of a judge and if he had not polluted his noble mind with evil designs, the king would have given him the highest praise. Referring to his prototype, Achitophel, the poet says that if he had not betrayed king David by instigating his son Absalom against him, the king would have written for him a sony of praise and deprived God of one human. Here it may be recalled that David is traditionally regarded as the author of the Psalms.
English Literature- Important links
- Development of English poetry since the age of Shakespeare
- Important Forms of poetry in English (Narrative, Lyrical, Sonnet etc.)
- Sonnet 29- When, in disgrace with fortune (William Shakespeare)
- SONNET 138- When my love swears (Analysis and Explanation)
- Critical review of Sonnet Writing of William Shakespeare
- “The Canonization” by John Donne- Summary & Line by line Explanation
- Critical appreciation of ‘The Canonisation’ (Poem by John Donne)
- “Paradise Lost” (Lines 242-272) John Milton | Summary & Analysis
- Characteristics of John Milton’s Poetry (with reference to Paradise Lost)
- “PARADISE LOST” as an Epic- By John Milton
- Critical appreciation of Paradise Lost- Theme, Styles, Cosmology etc.
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