Unit 1 Absalom and Aachitophel
Class assignment
Detail note on summary of Absalom and Aachitophel by John dryden
Introduction:
Absalom and Achitophel is not merely a poem of its moment; it is also an enduring study of political ambition, manipulation, and loyalty. The second part (1682), largely written by Nahum Tate but with around 200 crucial lines by Dryden, continued this satirical attack, particularly against his literary and political enemies. Together, these works solidified Dryden’s reputation as a master of allegory and satire.the historical context, literary artistry, allegorical framework, key themes, and the lasting significance of Absalom and Achitophel. Quotations from the text will illuminate how Dryden weaves satire and politics into verse that still resonates centuries later.
About the author:
John Dryden (1631–1700) was one of the most important literary figures of the Restoration period in English literature. He is often called the “Father of English Criticism” because of his influential work in literary criticism, and he was also a dominant poet, playwright, and translator of his age.
Born in Aldwincle, Northamptonshire, Dryden was educated at Westminster School and later at Trinity College, Cambridge. He lived during a time of political and cultural change, including the English Civil War, the Commonwealth, and the Restoration of Charles II. These shifting times strongly influenced his works.
Summary
The poem begins by describing older “pious times,” when kings like David of Israel could have many wives and children without being judged. David, like Charles II of England, had both legitimate and illegitimate children. Dryden defends Charles by comparing him to David, saying that kings are chosen by God and reflect His image on earth. Among all of David’s illegitimate sons, Absalom is his favorite. He is handsome, brave, popular with the people, and loved by women. David even forgives him when he kills his half-brother Amnon, since Amnon had raped Absalom’s sister. This shows David’s merciful and forgiving nature.
David rules peacefully, but the Jews (like the English people) are restless and often rebel. Dryden compares them to the English who overthrew Charles I, lived under Oliver Cromwell, and then restored Charles II. Saul, Israel’s first king, is compared to Cromwell. Saul’s son Ishbosheth (Like richard Cromwell) could not keep power, so David (like Charles II) returned from exile to rule.Still, some Jews were never satisfied, wanting freedom to choose their king, and Dryden mock them as “Adam-wits.”
The Jebusites in Israel represent Catholics in England. They were treated unfairly, overtaxed, and mocked for their religion. In Dryden’s time, Catholics faced the same discrimination. Tensions grew worse after the false “Popish Plot,” a supposed Catholic plan to kill Charles II. Though mostly lies, it stirred fear and led to the Exclusion Crisis, when many wanted to stop James II(Charles’s Catholic brother) from becoming king.
At this point, Achitophel enters. He is the cleverest but most dangerous enemy of David.Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, leader of the Whigs.Ambitious, selfish, and dishonest, Achitophel pretends to be a patriot but only wants power. He whispers lies, spreads fear, and claims David is secretly a Jebusite. Knowing he cannot be king himself, he looks for a puppet and finds Absalom, who is popular and Protestant (like Monmouth).Achitophel flatters Absalom, calling him “royal” and even a “second Moses.” He urges him to take the crown before it is too late, mocking the idea of divine right as outdated. Absalom hesitates, saying David is just and merciful, ruling by unquestioned right. David even gives Absalom everything except the crown, which is “destined for a worthier head”—his legitimate brother (James II). Absalom admits this, but ambition tempts him. He wishes he were born royal or too foolish to notice his limits, but Achitophel keeps pushing, calling David weak and urging him to act.
Achitophel then makes a plan: weaken David financially, stir unrest, and force him to sign a law cutting his brother out of the succession (the Exclusion Bill). If not, he tells Absalom, the people themselves should choose their king. Dryden rejects this, insisting kings are chosen by God, not by the people. Still, Achitophel keeps warning that David’s brother hates Absalom and will crush him later. Better to rebel now.
Soon, many join Achitophel and Absalom. The crowd, called the “Solymæan rout,” Includes puritan preachers (Levites) who want religious rule again. Among Achitophel’s men are Zimri(the foolish, changeable man, representing the Duke of Buckingham), Balaam, Caleb, and Nadab(minor rebels), Jonas (a cunning lawyer), and above all Shimei, a corrupt magistrate who cheats the people and curses David (Slingsby Bethel). Another is Corah, representing Titus Oates, the liar who invented the Popish Plot. Corah’s powerful speeches and false claims make many believe him.
Together they stir up rebellion. Absalom charms the people with sweet words and even tears, pretending to share their grief. He warns about foreign enemies (Egypt = France, Tyrus =Holland) and the Jebusites (Catholics). He cries in front of them, which makes the people see him as a messiah. Soon, he rides in procession with Achitophel, greeted everywhere like a savior.Secretly, however, they are plotting against David.Dryden interrupts to scold the people, calling them foolish for believing lies and betraying their king. He warns that if a king can be removed so easily, then no ruler is safe and society itself will collapse. But David is not alone—he still has loyal supporters. These include Barzillai (JamesButler, Duke of Ormond), old and faithful; Zadok the priest (Archbishop Sancroft); Amiel(Edward Seymour, Speaker of the Commons); Adriel, Jotham, Hushai, and others. They mourn the rebellion and tell David about Absalom’s ambition and Achitophel’s plot.
Finally, David himself speaks. He admits he has been too merciful out of love for Absalom, but now he must act as king, not father. Kings, he says, are the foundation of society, and to rebel is to destroy order. He warns Absalom and the rebels that if they continue, they will fall Like samson under the ruins. Still, he offers forgiveness if Absalom repents. If God had wanted him king, He would have made him king. David calls him not a patriot but a fool, misled by Achitophel.
In the end, David grows fierce, warning that if the rebels want terror, they will face destruction.Thunder shakes Israel, showing God’s support for him. The people realize their mistake, and David is once again seen as their rightful, godlike king. Through this ending, Dryden defends charles II and the divine right of kings, while condemning Shaftesbury, Monmouth, and the Exclusion Crisis.
Conclusion:
Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel concludes as a powerful example of political satire that blends biblical allegory with contemporary English politics. Using the story of King David, Absalom, and Achitophel as a parallel to King Charles II, the Duke of Monmouth, and the Earl of Shaftesbury, Dryden cleverly exposes the dangers of ambition, flattery, and rebellion. The poem ends by reaffirming the rightful authority of the king, presenting monarchy as a stabilizing force against chaos and division. Achitophel’s manipulative nature is unmasked, while Absalom’s weakness highlights the perils of misguided ambition.
Home assignment
Brief summary of Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
Introduction
Macbeth is one of William Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies, first performed around 1606. The play explores themes of ambition, power, fate, guilt, and the supernatural. It tells the story of Macbeth, a brave Scottish general whose encounter with the three witches awakens his ambition to become king. Encouraged by his wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan and seizes the throne, but his reign is marked by tyranny, fear, and bloodshed.
The play is deeply influenced by the political climate of Shakespeare’s time, especially the reign of King James I, who had a strong interest in witchcraft and Scottish history. Through Macbeth’s downfall, Shakespeare shows how unchecked ambition and moral weakness can destroy individuals and corrupt society.
About the author
William Shakespeare (1564–1616) was one of the greatest playwrights and poets in English literature, often called “The Bard of Avon.” Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, he wrote 39 plays, 154 sonnets, and several narrative poems. His works are celebrated for their universal themes, rich language, and deep understanding of human nature.
Shakespeare’s plays are generally divided into three categories: tragedies (like Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear), comedies (like A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night, As You Like It), and histories (like Richard III, Henry IV, Henry V). His writings explore timeless issues such as love, power, jealousy, betrayal, fate, and ambition.
He made a profound contribution to the development of the English language, coining many words and expressions still in use today. His plays have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright.
Shakespeare’s influence extends beyond literature to art, music, politics, and popular culture worldwide. He died in 1616, but his legacy lives on, making him a towering figure of the Renaissance and world literature.
Summary of Macbeth
Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most powerful tragedies, exploring the themes of ambition, fate, and guilt. The play begins with three witches who prophesize that Macbeth, a brave Scottish general, will become the Thane of Cawdor and eventually the King of Scotland. Tempted by this prophecy and spurred on by his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, he begins to dream of seizing the crown.
Soon after, King Duncan rewards Macbeth’s bravery in battle by granting him the title of Thane of Cawdor—fulfilling part of the witches’ prophecy. Consumed by ambition, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth plot Duncan’s murder. Macbeth kills Duncan while he sleeps, and with the help of Lady Macbeth, frames the king’s guards for the crime. Macbeth is crowned king, but guilt and paranoia quickly torment him.
To secure his throne, Macbeth recalls the witches’ prophecy that Banquo’s descendants will inherit the crown. Fearing Banquo and his son Fleance, Macbeth arranges for their murder. Banquo is killed, but Fleance escapes. Haunted by Banquo’s ghost at a banquet, Macbeth becomes increasingly unstable.
Seeking reassurance, Macbeth visits the witches again. They warn him to beware of Macduff, tell him that no man “born of a woman” will harm him, and that he will remain safe until Birnam Wood comes to Dunsinane Hill. Interpreting these riddles as signs of invincibility, Macbeth grows overconfident. Meanwhile, he orders the slaughter of Macduff’s wife and children, deepening his tyranny.
Lady Macbeth, overwhelmed by guilt, begins to lose her sanity. She sleepwalks, obsessively washing imaginary bloodstains from her hands. Eventually, she dies—possibly by suicide.
In the final act, an army led by Malcolm (Duncan’s son) and Macduff advances on Macbeth’s castle. To disguise their numbers, they cut down branches from Birnam Wood—making it appear as if the forest is moving toward Dunsinane, fulfilling part of the witches’ prophecy. In the battle, Macbeth fights bravely but is confronted by Macduff. When Macbeth boasts that no man born of a woman can kill him, Macduff reveals that he was delivered by a Caesarean birth, and thus not “born of a woman” in the usual way. Macduff kills Macbeth, ending his tyrannical rule.Malcolm is declared the new King of Scotland, restoring order and justice.
Essay
What is metaphysical poetry
Metaphysical poetry is a special type of poetry that became popular in the 17th century. The main poets of this group were John Donne, George Herbert, Andrew Marvell, Henry Vaughan,and Richard Crashaw. The word metaphysical means “beyond the physical.” These poets were not satisfied with writing only about beauty, nature, or simple love. Instead, they wanted to explore deeper ideas such as the meaning of love, the relationship between man and God, the nature of the soul, and the mystery of death and life after death. The term metaphysical poets was first given by Samuel Johnson, who noticed that these poets used unusual comparisons and very clever arguments in their poems.
Characteristics of Metaphysical Poetry
1. Use of Conceits (Unusual Comparisons):
A conceit is an extended and surprising comparison between two very different things.Metaphysical poets often used such images to explain their ideas. For example, in Donne’s poem
A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning, he compares two lovers to the two legs of a compass. At first this seems strange, but it beautifully explains how two people can be apart yet remain connected.
2. Blend of Emotion and Thought:
These poems are full of passion, but the poets also bring in reasoning and arguments. They do not only write with feelings but also with the mind. For example, Donne’s poems of love are not only romantic but also full of clever logic and philosophy.
3. Philosophical and Religious Themes:
Many metaphysical poems are about God, spirituality, the soul, and life after death. John Donne’s Holy Sonnets deal with sin, death, and salvation. George Herbert’s poems show his deep devotion to God.
4. Paradox and Wit:
A paradox is a statement that looks false or impossible but actually contains a hidden truth. The poets used such ideas to shock and impress the readers. For example, Donne’s line “Death, thou shalt die” sounds impossible but means that death has no real power.
5. Abrupt and Dramatic Opening:
Unlike other poets who began slowly and smoothly, metaphysical poets often started their poems suddenly, as if jumping into the middle of a conversation. This immediately catches attention.For example, Donne opens The Sun Rising with: “Busy old fool, unruly Sun…
6. Simple and Conversational Language:
They did not always use flowery or decorative words. Instead, their style was closer to everyday speech, making the poems sound direct and powerful.
7. Images from Science and Daily Life:
Another special quality is that they used examples from science, law, medicine, geography, and everyday objects to explain their feelings. This shows their wide knowledge and makes their poetry intellectual.
Conclusion
Metaphysical poetry is known for its wit, intelligence, and originality. It combines deep emotions with clever arguments. These poets go beyond the surface level of love and beauty to explo serious questions about life, death, faith, and the soul. Their poetry is full of surprises, unusual comparisons, and thought-provoking ideas, which makes it very different from the smooth and musical poetry of earlier times.
