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Beardsley, Aubrey. The Rape of The Lock. 1717.
Following the Theme of Epics...
Following the Theme of Epics...
The Rape of The Lock, written by Alexander Pope in 1712, comes from literature in the Restoration and the 18th century. This text follows the theme of epics in British Literature, however it also follows the pattern of evolution of literature. This text is considered a mock epic.
What is a mock epic?
The mock epic can be described as a "form of satire that adapts the elevated heroic style of the classical epic poem to a trival subject" (Britannica). In other words, the mock epic genre utilizes satire, a literary device which uses irony, humor, or exaggeration, to alter the meaning of a text.
Why mock epics?
Ultimately, the mock epic genre is used to undermine the idea behind the literal text. This satirical expansion of the epic allows dull stories to become a more immersive and entertaining experience for the reader. Additionally, satire in mock epics allows the author to make light of an insignificant occurance or story in order to accentuate it's trivality.
How is this text a mock epic?
How is this text a mock epic?
The Rape of The Lock falls into the mock epic category for its overall point of making fun of the upper class of London during the time period it was written in. With that, Pope satirizes the true story that inspires this poem. Due to the real lock of hair that was cut, a feud between two families broke out. Pope beleived this new rivraly to be completley overdramatic, therefore he created this mock epic to make light and fun of the situation (Black 1521). Pope turning a serious situation into a saterical poem makes The Rape of The Lock a mock epic. He does this to advocate that society makes a big deal over situations that could be a lot worse, overall making fun of the "catastrophe" that the families were fighting over.
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