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.