Political Satire :
Absalom and Achitophel is a landmark political Satire by John Dryden . Dryden marks his satire with a concentrated and convincing poetic style . His satire verse is majestic what Pope calls " The long majestic March and nergy divine "
Critics have unanimously remarked on Drydens capacity to transform the trivial into to the political personal envy into the fury of imaginative creation . The obscure and the complicated is made clear and simple . All this transforming power is to be seen at the very beginning of Absalom and Achitophel. The state of Israel is easy to understand and yet Dryden shows himself a master both of the Horation and Juvenalian styles of Satire. He is urbance witty davadtating and vigorous , but very seldom petty.
Basically a Political Satire :
Dryden called Absalom and Achitophel a poem and not a satire implaying thereby that it head elements other that purely satirical one cannot for instance ignore the obvious epie or heroic touches in it All the samebthe poem originated in the political situation of England at the time and one cannot fail to note that several political personalities are Satirized in it published in November 1681 the theme was suggested by the king to Dryden . At this time the question of succession to king Charles had assumed great importance .The Earl of Shaftesbury had been thrown into prison to face a charge of high treason .There were two contenders for the succession .Firstly Charles brother James Duke of York a known Roman Catholic the second contenders was Charles illegitimate son , the protestant Duke of Monmouth. The Whigs supported Monmouth while the Tories supported the cause of James in order to ensure stability in the country . There was great public unrest on account of the uncertainty of succession. King 👑 Charles 2 saw to in that the Exclusion bill brought before parliament to exclude the succession of his brother James could not be pushed through.
Conclusion :
Dryden is correctly regarded as the most vigorous and polished of English satirists combining refinement with fervour . Dryden is unequalled at debating in rhyme and Absalom and has no rival in the field of political satire . Apart from the contemporary interest of the poem and it's historical value it appeal to the morden readers lines in its observation on English .
Character and on the weakness of man in general . His generalisation on human nature have a perennial interest . Dryden triumphed over the peculiar difficulties of his chosen theme. He had to criticise a son whom the father still likes he had to make Shaftesbury denounce the king but he had to see to it that the king's susceptibilities were not wounded he had to praise without sounding servile and he had to criticise artistically Dryden achieves all this cleverly and skilfully.
