Give a character sketch of Belinda in "Rape

of the lock"

Q No4:

Give a character sketch of Belinda

 Answer:

Pope has presented Belinda as a complex character. He has

presented her in different roles and under different shades, some are
satirical other ironical but all entertaining. The character of Belinda has
created much controversy since the publication of the poem. Some critics
consider her treatment fair while others as unfair. However, the reality lies
in between these two extremes we can discuss her character under the
following heads:
1: The Heroine o f the Poem:-
Belinda is the heroine of the story. It is her character around whom
the story of the whole poem is woven. We see her sleeping till noon and
her awakening by her lap dog “Shock”. We are present at her toilet and
watch the progress of the sacred rites of pride. Then we see her proceeding
from the Thames River to the Hampton Court. Then her smiling looks
upon the well dressed youths that crowds her. In short, she is the main
character and heroine of the poem.
2: Belinda ve Miss Arabella Fermore:-
 It is through Belinda that poet laughs at the follies of female
sex. Belinda is the Miss Arabella Fermore of real life. She was an
acknowledged beauty of her time, when Pope wrote this poem. Her
different portraits show two locks of hair that rests on her shoulder. These
two
locks are the same that we found in Belinda's character and this poem is all
about the rapping of these two locks by Lord Peter.
3: A creation o f Wit, Beauty and Poetry:-
Belinda is a creation of wit, beauty and poetry. She wakes up at 12
and the first thing which grasps her attention is a love-letter. Then she
paints and decorates her with diamonds, ornaments, perfumes and
puffs, powders and patches . Then she went out for the
conquest of lovers. Her smiles are sunny, her manners polished, her eyes
large. She goes for sail and then to Hampton court and participate in
different fun making activities. Then her locks are raped by the Baron. She
fights with the help of snuff and bodkin. Her party triumphs but she is
unable to regain her lost locks.
4: An object of Mockery and Adoration:-
Belinda is both object of ridicule and beauty which compel
admiration. As a representative of the aristocratic class, she is mocked at.
But, as a beautiful and charming lady, she deserves our admiration. On the
one hand, she is mocked at; on the other hand she is praised as a woman of
beauty and charm. She is almost presented as goddess of beauty and youth.
5: Representative of her class:-
Belinda is represents lady Fermore of real life, whom Lord
Peter made angry by cutting her lock. Lord Peter in the poem is
represented by the Baron. Both the families of Fermore and Peter’s were
inimical to each other but they were friendly to Pope. Pope would not have
been able in bringing them close to each other if he had not presented them
satirically. Therefore, as an individual, Pope praised them but in the full-
fledged version he mocked at them. Belinda and Lord Peter appeared to
him as typical representative of their class and he satires them.
6: Central Character of the poem :-
From the opening lines, it immediately becomes clear that Belinda is
the central character. She is the heroine of this mock-epic. Here in the
fourth line, she is given a place which is higher than any other’s; she is
both the end and means of the poem. She is accorded the status of the
goddess of charm and beauty. Her character represents degradation of
aristocratic class. This makes her character larger than other character of
the poem.
7: Her Ravishing and Dazzling beautv:-

The first thing that Pope tells us about Belinda is her ravishing dazzling

beauty. When she opens her eyes, brightness of her eyes seemed to eclipse
the
sun. This metaphor suggests the dazzling beauty of Belinda.
8: Her Habits:-
Pope has described Belinda's habits in detail. She is a late riser and
awakes 12’o clock in the day. She is extremely sophisticated and has great
love for luxuries and beauty. It seems she has no other interests in life. The
first thing she does after awaking up is to make up her. This is a clear
indication of the fact that beautifying herself is like a religious rite for her.
9: Her romantic nature:-
Belinda has a romantic nature. Her journey on the river Thames can
be compared with that of Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s Antony and
Cleopatra. This parallel strengthens her romantic nature. Like Cleopatra
her physical charms makes even religious sanctity irrelevant. She wears a
lively and agile look in her eyes and on her face which reveals the
brilliance and intelligence of her mind. She is cautiously courteous to
everyone, and gives pleasing gesture to all. She sheds her smiles on
everyone who comes to her as the sun sheds its warmth on everyone. Her
physical charm is captivating and can shake the faith of anyone.
10: A shrewd Coquette :-
 Belinda is true representative of the vices found in her class, but
none of them is serious. She reveals to us her shrewdness and coquetry.
She is blind with a sense of arrogance. Above all, Pope wants to present
her as an embodiment of self-deception.
11: An emotional Being:-_________
Belinda is an emotional being. She is excessively joyful in victory
and greatly tearful in sorrow. When Baron succeeds in cutting the lock
of Belinda, she shows the extreme of being exceedingly sorrowful and
tearful.
12: Lack o f spirituality:-
In Belinda spiritual lackness is quite evident. She just like all
aristocratic ladies of her time is more careful about personal reputation
rather than spiritual sacredness. She is hardly aware of her soul and she is
only sentimental. She has no sense of moral integrity.