Absalom and Achitophel

Hello readers! I write this blog in response to a Thinking activity assigned by Dilip Barad sir. In this blog I am going to discuss about the Absalom and Achitophel as a political Satire.

Born Date: 19 August 1631

Death date: 12 May 1700

Literary period: Restoration Period 

Occupation: Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright, Poet Laureate (1668-1689)

Notable works -

• Absalom and Achitophel
• King Arthur
• Fables Ancient and Modern
• Dramatic Poesie, an Essay
• The Hind and the Panther
• The Indian Queen
• To His Sacred Majesty 

The English author John Dryden is best known as a poet and critic. After John Donne and John Milton, John Dryden was the greatest English poet of the 17th century. After William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson, he was the greatest playwright. His translation of The Aeneid remains the best ever produced in English. Dryden the poet is best known today as a satirist. He wrote only two great original satires: 'Mac Flecknoe' and 'The Medall'. His most famous poem, 'Absalom and Achitophel' contains several brilliant satiric portraits. John Dryden came from a landowning family with connections to Parliament and the Church of England. He studied as a King’s Scholar at the prestigious Westminster School of London, where he later sent two of his own children. There, Dryden was trained in the art of rhetorical argument, which remained a strong influence on the poet's writing and critical thought throughout his life. Dryden published his first poem in 1649. 

Dryden’s poem, despite its aristocratic elements of monarchism and heroic valor. After the death of William Davenant in April 1668, Dryden became the first official poet laureate of England. The royal office carried the responsibility of composing occasional works in celebration of public events. 

He is credited with standardizing the heroic couplet in English poetry by applying it as a convention in a range of works, including satires, religious pieces, fables, epigrams, prologues, and plays. After the theaters were reopened in 1660, Dryden became a key figure in the dramatic movement we now call Restoration comedy. Dryden died in May 1700, and was initially buried in St. Anne’s Cemetery. In 1710, he was moved to the Poets’ Corner of Westminster Abbey. 

Absalom and Achitophel:

John Dryden’s “Absalom and Achitophel” was first published in 1681, in direct response to a political crisis faced by King Charles II from 1679 to 1681. In what became known as the “Exclusion Crisis,” the king’s opponents in Parliament tried to exclude Charles’s brother James from the succession on the grounds that he was a Roman Catholic. “Absalom and Achitophel” is a satiric narrative poem in which Dryden uses a biblical allegory to discuss the events and main personalities involved in this crisis. The poem mocks the King’s opponents and openly reveals Dryden’s staunchly royalist sympathies. The poem is also notable for featuring one of Dryden’s literary trademarks: the “heroic couplet."

Absalom and Achitophel Political Satire:

The poem originated in the political situation of England at the time and one cannot fail to note that several political personalities are satirized in it. Published in November 1681, the theme was suggested by the king to Dryden. At this time, the question of succession to King Charles had assumed great importance. The Earl of Shaftesbury had been thrown into prison to face a charge of high treason. There were two contenders for the succession. Firstly, Charles’ brother James, Duke of York, a known Roman Catholic; the second contender was Charles’ illegitimate son, the Protestant Duke of Monmouth. 

Dryden wrote 'Absalom and Achitophel' at the King’s request. In the context of this poem, he ridiculed and satirized the Whigs and Earl of Shaftesbury. The poem covers its political satire under the apparent disguise of a Biblical Story. This poem completely describes the existing crisis and the political issues of contemporary time. Absalom was convinced by Achitophel to revolt against King David. Absalom represents James Scott and Achitophel represents Earl of Shaftesbury. By using the Biblical Allegory, Dryden satirizes Achitophel and the ones following him. The poet, all through the poem, wishes to inform King Charles that James Scott was not to be blamed and accused because the Earl of Shaftesbury was the one who aroused the rebellion's will in James Scott. Also, the poem ridiculed and satirized King Charles but not in cruel words. He criticized the King by mentioning his many wives and slaves.

The aim of Dryden was to support the King and to expose his enemies. Charles had his own weaknesses, he is extremely fond of women. But Dryden puts a charitable mantel over his sexual sins. He is mild in dealing with his real vices. The king himself did not think unfavorably of his love affairs. Dryden has nothing but praise for the king’s moderation in political matters and his leniency towards rebels. Dryden’s lash falls on the King’s enemies, particularly the Earl of Shaftesbury. Dryden dreads the fickleness of the mob and he is not sure to what extremes a crowd can go. Dryden’s reference to the godlike David shows his flattery of the King and his belief in the “Theory of the Divine Right of Kings”.

People of England believe that kings are chosen by God. If anyone starts rebellion against the king that means he is again of God. In 'Absalom and Achitophel' Dryden mythologizes Charles II, his brother James, Duke of York, and the triumphant admirals and generals as classical and Christian heroes and even gods. This mythologizing seems deployed especially to defuse opposition to Charles and thereby to avert the potential unraveling of the Restoration compromise. Dryden opens the poem, the ultimate point of its portrayal of David’s promiscuity is that 

“No True Succession” can “attend” the “seed” of David’s concubines. 

While Dryden appears to be adopting a Burkean conservatism based on the weight of tradition as is obvious from all the references to God’s involvement in anointing and supporting kings throughout the poem. Lords, commoners, kings themselves, by tampering with succession were to make a king. Dryden then proceeds to portray the king’s friends as a loyal group of peers, bishops, judges, and even the former speaker of the House of Commons. The greatest wielder of words in the poem is David himself, who comes forward finally to vindicate his power and position. David insists that even if he has only a part of government, the part belongs to him, cannot be attenuated by any other part, and is “to Rule.” Thus Dryden stakes out for "David / Charles" a middle ground between extremes of arbitrary or anarchic rule. He insists on the king’s lawful prerogative granted by the unwritten constitution and forming part of a balanced system of government. Dryden closes the poem by underwriting David’s words with the Word of God: 

He said. Th’Almighty, nodding, gave Consent: And Peals of Thunder shook the Firmament.” 

Conclusion:

In Absalom and Acltophel Dryden mirrors the English life of the time, in a vigorous manner. The Whig leaders are mercilessly subjected to satire. Dryden also wrote numerous plays that helped him make him one of the leading figures in the Restoration theater. Today, however, he is admired more for his influence on other writers than for his own works. 

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