The rape of Lock : A mock Heroic epic

Q No. 2:

“The Rape of the Lock" is a mock-heroic poem. Discuss.

Answer:

Heroic or epic poems are poems like Odyssey, the Aeneid and Paradise Lost, that deals with man's exalted aspects. Their action is powerful, their parsonages are dignified and their style is elevated. Following the traditions and devices of a serious epic, mock epic deals with situations and personage in a serious manner and style, but these situations and personage are trivial and petty. In the result, it produces humorous effect.

“The Rape of the Lock'' is a mock-heroic epic poem, both in its matter and spirit. The intention is to reject the artificiality and hollowness of the Pop's age. Pope had intelligently used the formula and elevated style of epic poetry but has employed it to something very trivial. The petty and ridiculous cutting of a lock of hair, has been given an epic treatment. In the result, the little is made great and great little. Ultimately, the poem falls in the category of mock-epics.

However, it is important to note that “The Rape of the Lock'' is a very complex mock epic. It is not limited only to comparison and parody; rather it has instructive purpose too. Mock- heroic effect is achieved at three levels; action, convention  and style.

At the surface level of the action, the mock-heroic effect is produced by contrasting Belinda's spending of day in trivial activities with heroic adventures and great achievements of heroes and heroines of serious epic. Mockery is also produced by comparing petty war of sexes— of Belinda and Lord Peter— with the bloody wars of nations. The desired aim is achieved when the reader find the war of sexes as that of nations.

Similarly at the social level, the poem gives the picture of moral condition of people of Pope’s age. The world of coaches, snuff boxes, lap dogs, and lustful eyes is like the elevated world of Homer, Vergil and Milton. The mock-heroic effect is produced by placing side by side gigantic with very small and the heroic with non-heroic.

Therefore, “The Rape of the Lock" is more than a mere parody of serious epic. It is also evident from the fact that actually this poem was written to reconcile the two families. It aims at moral reformation. This places “The Rape of the Lock” in the line of “Odyssey”, “Aenied” and “The Fairy Queen”. “The Rape of the Lock" revolves around a very serious theme like Milton’s “Paradise Lost”. But its theme is not only funny but trivial also. In the result, its action automatically becomes parody of pure epic.

Almost all the epic starts with the invocation                             to muse , god,

goddess and God. Having a trivial theme and action Pope invokes a fashionable vain-belle Belinda for help. The use of supernatural machinery is another tradition and distinctive feature of epic poetry. Pope has effectively imitated this feature of serious epic also. In classical epics, the role of gods and goddess was very important. In “The Rape of the Lock” this role is played by tiny spirits, Sylphs , Nymphs,  Genomes  and Salamanders . It is quite according to the trivial subject and self-exhibiting characters of the poem. Likewise, Umbrial’s journey into “the cave of spleen ” is intentionally designed to make fun of the visits of epic heroes to the underworld.

The weapons used in the war of sexes do not consist of shinning swords and mighty shields but hairpins, cosmetics and amorous looks . Pope creates the same serious atmosphere, which reader finds in Virgil’s “Aenied’. Like Homer and Milton, Pope also uses different similes. He compared Belinda's eyes with a radiant lighting sun. At another place he ironically compares her with “Queen Dido” and “Helen”. The funniest comparison is between Belinda's petticoat and “Mighty shield” of epic heroes.

Lastly, Pope's elevated style is another source of mock-heroic effect. He uses number of poetic beauties like periphrases , alliteration, long vowel, sounds and elevated poetic diction. These all devices increase beauty, charm and mock-heroic effect of the poem. Besides, Pope uses rhetorical style just like serious epic. Then the use of high sounding words, signs of exclamation and interrogation throughout the poem makes its style grander. Then there are lengthy speeches like the serious epic.

In the end, it can be said that with any doubt that “The Rape of the Lock” in one of the finest piece of mock-epic. But it is not just a parody of epic tradition. It gives Pope a position of a great artist and moralist.