Neoclassical Poetry

Prof. Dr. Ahmed T. Hussein

 Neoclassical Poetry
Neoclassical Poetry is a type of poetry, which follows the pattern of
poetry authored by the poets of ancient time i.e., Greek and Rome.
Pope and Dryden were the leading writers, who deviated from the
traditional schools of poetry and sought guidance in the works of
ancient Greek and Roman writers. They tried to follow the writers
of the antiquity in letter and spirit in the Augustan Age.
Hence, Neoclassicism is the movement in the history of English
literature, which laid immense emphasis on revival of the classical
spirit during the period between 1680 and 1750 in the age of Pope
and Dryden.
‘Absalom and Achitophel’

John Dryden
“Absalom and Achitophel” is a heroic satire written by John Dryden in
1681-1682. John Dryden is an English poet, playwright, translator,
essayist, and literary theorist. Along with Shakespeare and Milton, he is
considered as one of the most influential and greatest representatives of
English Literature of the 17th century.

"Absalom and Achitophel" includes more than 1,000 poems. The poem
allegorically depicts the political struggle in England at that time. For
example, the biblical legend of the rebellious son of King David serves
as an allegory for the history of the struggle of the Whigs, led by Lord
Sheftsberri against the so-called "Catholic conspiracy."
John Dryden a poet, literary critic and a dramatist, belong to Augustan era. Absalom and
Achitophel appeared in 1681 and it is a political satire concerning events that occurred during
the reign of Charles ll of England. As King Charles II did not have a legitimate child for the
throne his brother James was suggested. But James was more inclined to Roman Catholicism
and people were not in favour of that. However, King Charles II had an illegitimate child called
John of Monmouth/ Duke of Monmouth. As the King did not want his illegitimate son to be the
king after him the Duke of Monmouth began to rebel against his father King Charles II.
However, since Dryden couldn’t write about these events openly, he cloaked them in a biblical
story of events that took place in the reign of King David which were of a parallel nature.
Charles ll becomes King David, Monmouth becomes Absalom, and Shaftesbury; Monmouth’s
helper becomes Achitophel. So that Monmouth revolt against Charles ll instigated by
Shaftesbury is presented as Absalom’s revolt against David instigated by Achitophel. And Duke
of Buckingham who was another co-worker of Monmouth is presented as Zimri. As the poet
was partial towards the king Charles II in his poem, he satirizes the Duke of Monmouth and his
supporters. The poem consists portraits of different characters and here there is an explanation
of the portrait of Zimri.
Some of their chiefs were princes of the land:
In the first rank of these did Zimri stand:
A man so various, that he seem'd to be
Not one, but all Mankind's Epitome.
Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong;
Was everything by starts, and nothing long:
But in the course of one revolving moon,
Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon:
Then all for women, painting, rhyming, drinking;
Besides ten thousand freaks that died in thinking.

Buffon: a clown
Blest madman, who could every hour employ,
With something new to wish, or to enjoy!
Railing and praising were his usual themes;
And both (to show his judgment) in extremes:
So over violent, or over civil,
That every man, with him, was god or devil.
In squandering wealth was his peculiar art:
Nothing went unrewarded, but desert.
Beggar'd by fools, whom still he found too late:
He had his jest, and they had his estate.
He laugh'd himself from court; then sought relief
By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief.
In squandering wealth was his peculiar art:
Nothing went unrewarded, but desert.
Beggar'd by fools, whom still he found too late:
He had his jest, and they had his estate.
He laugh'd himself from court; then sought relief
By forming parties, but could ne'er be chief.
For, spite of him, the weight of business fell
On Absalom and wise Achitophel:
Thus, wicked but in will, of means bereft,
He left not faction, but of that was left.
 PARAPHRASE
1. Some of their chiefs were princes of the land:
Some of the leaders of those who were against the government were royal princes.
2. In the first rank of these did Zimri stand;
In their top leadership, did Zimri hold a place.
3. A man so various, that he seem’d to be 4. Not one, but all mankind’s epitome:
Zimri was a man of many talents and interests and for that reason seemed to be the best of all types of experts.
5. Stiff in opinions, always in the wrong;
Zimri had very fixed opinions that were always wrong!
6. Was everything by starts, and nothing long;
He tried every sort of occupation suddenly and without holding to one thing long.
7. But, in the course of one revolving moon,
Thus, in the course of one lunar month,
8. Was chemist, fiddler, statesman, and buffoon:
Zimri was a chemist, a violinist, a politician, and a clown:
9. Then all for woman, painting, rhyming, drinking,
As a fool, he gave all his time to flirting with women, painting, rhyming poems, and heavy drinking,
10. Beside ten thousand freaks that died in thinking.
and was the companion of great crowd of other fools who died by trying to think!
 Zimri
One of Achitophel’s men whom Dryden describes as a
“buffoon” who has tried several professions. In the Bible,
Zimri is king of Israel for seven days, but he is no real threat
to David or the throne in “Absalom and Achitophel.” Zimri
likely represents George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of
Buckingham, an English statesman and poet who had
disgraced himself in war, organized an unsuccessful plot
against the government, and was accused of treason. He
played an active role within the Popish Plot.
The poem is an allegorical, mock heroic epic and also a political satire. The poem was written
during a time of political turmoil. In the poem the character of Zimri is based on Duke of
Buckingham. Although the poem is based on political event there is also a personal attack. And
Dryden had highly ridiculed Zimri or else Duke of Buckingham’s character. He was a poet,
dramatist and a politician. Though he had a brilliant mind he was inconsistent, extravagant and
wasteful. In the above extract with his dramatic language the poet criticizes the character of Zimri
though it sounds like praise. Here the poet presents different aspects of his life for example his
occupations, lifestyle, his reactions, likes, dislikes, his attitudes towards people and the way he
spends money. Thus, Zimri can be described as a fickle, inconsistent, excessive, irrational,
irresponsible and profligate. The poet ironically points out all the positive aspects of his character
by describing him with a sense of positivity. The poet has used an effective sense of balance. “Was
chemist, fiddler, statesman and buffoon:” These can be quite exaggerative but at the same time it
shows the extremities of Zimri. This extract from Absalom and Achitophel brings the theme of a
man must be rational and be guided by reason as they have a greater social and moral
responsibility towards others in the society. At the same time the extract brings the idea that public
figures are guided by reason, as they have greater social and moral responsibility towards others in
the society.