the rape of the lock opera
The Rape of the Lock references the traditional epic in numerous ways. Here are some standard features of the epic, each followed by the place in the poem where Pope uses a similar mock-heroic element. Instead of using the traditional “machinery” of Greek or Roman gods and goddesses, Pope based his “mock-machinery” on tiny, ineffectual Rosicrucian beings. He uses the stature of these Classics to emphasize the triviality of Belinda’s injury, at the same time that he honors her legitimate rage by comparing it to the rage of Achilles. She herself, is asked to show a noble magnanimity in her gracious forgiveness, thus honoring her true stature in real life.
A Dream Message from the Gods Canto I
(Ariel sends a dream warning to Belinda)
Belinda still your downy Pillow press,
While I, your Guardian Sylph prolong the balmy Rest.
Fairest of Mortals, thou distinguish'd Care
Of thousand bright Inhabitants of Air!
Arming the Heroes Canto I
(Belinda puts on her cosmetics for the day)
And now, unveil'd, the Toilette stands display'd,
Each Silver Vase in mystic Order laid.
Unnumber'd Treasures open at once, and here
The various Off'rings of the World appear;
From each she nicely culls with curious Toil,
And decks the goddess with the glitt'ring Spoil
Epic Journey Canto II
(Belinda travels to Hampton Court by barge on the Thames)
Not with more Glories, in th'Etherial Plain,
The Sun first rises o'er the purpled Main,
Than issuing forth, the Rival of his Beams
Launch'd on the Bosom of the Silver Thames
Exhortation to the Troops Canto II
(Ariel summons his legions to protect Belinda)
I'll summon strait my Denizens of Air;
O lucid Squadrons round the Sails repair!
Ye Sylphs and Sylphids, to your Chief give Ear,
Fays, Fairies, Genii, Elves, and Daemons hear!
This Day, black Omens threat the brightest Fair
That e'er deserv'd a watchful Spirit's Care;
Single Combat / War Games Canto III
(Belinda challenges Plume and Baron to a card game)
Behold, four Kings in Majesty rever'd,
With hoary Whiskers and a forky Beard;
And four fair Queens whose hands sustain a Flow'r,
Th'expressive Emblem of their softer Pow'r;
Intervention of the Gods Canto III
(The three Sylphs try to prevent the crime)
So when to Mischief Mortals bend their Will,
How soon they find fit Instruments of Ill
Ah cease rash Youth! desist
Epic Feast Canto IV
(Clarissa invites all to have coffee.)
For lo! the Board with Cups and Spoons is crown'd,
The Berries crackle, and the Mill turns round.
From silver Spouts the grateful Liquors glide,
While China's Earth receives the smoking Tyde
Journey to the Underworld Canto IV
(The Cave of Spleen)
No cheerful Breeze this sullen Region knows,
The dreadful East is all the Wind that blows.
Here, in a Grotto, sheltred close from Air,
And screen'd in Shades from Day's detested Glare,
They sigh for ever on their pensive Beds,
Pain at their Side, and Megrim at their Head
Sacrifice to the Gods Canto IV
(The Baron invokes the gods to help him acquire the Lock)
This morning, Ere Phoebus rose, Lord Petre had implor'd
Propitious Heav'n, and ev'ry Pow'r ador'd,
But chiefly Love to Love an Altar built,
Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt
General Combat Canto V
(The Battle of the Sexes: a series of flirtations and snubs)
Gods! shall the Ravisher display your Hair,
While the Fops envy, and the Ladies stare! Honour forbid!
To Arms, to Arms! Raise the battle cry,
And swift as Lightning to the Combat fly!
Apotheosis Canto V
(The Lock becomes a new star )
With such a Prize no Mortal must be blest,
So Heav'n decrees! with Heav'n who can contest?
A sudden Star, it shoots through liquid Air,
And draws behind a radiant Trail of Hair.
This the Beau-monde shall from the Mall survey,
And hail with Musick its propitious Ray.
Mock-Heroics
Mock-Heroic Musical References
Gotterdammerung:
“Born but to die, and reasoning but to err,”
Die Valkure:
“Late as I ranged the crystal Wilds of Air,”
Parsifal:
“Oh, such a box,”
Siegfried:
“Now awful Beauty puts on all its Arms,”
The Ring Theme:
“… and well conspire to deck with shining Ringlets,”
Tristan:
“In these deep Solitudes,”
Salome:
“Then stand in readiness,”
Rosenkavalier:
“While I, … prolong the balmy rest,”
Gilbert & Sullivan, stylistic tribute:
Snuff or the Fan Scene,
Rameau, Castor & Pollux:
“Dear Friends, Refreshment here awaits,”
A. Courage, Star Trek Theme:
“Haste then, ye Spirits to your charge repair,”
