12 Questions
What was the central political motivation behind Dryden's poem Absalom and Achitophel?
To advocate for Charles II's bastard son, the Duke of Monmouth, to succeed him
What was the relationship between Charles II and James, Duke of Monmouth?
James was Charles II's bastard son, but not recognized as his heir
What was the significance of Lucy Walter in relation to James, Duke of Monmouth?
She was Charles II's mistress and claimed to be secretly married to him
Why was there a potential threat of revolution in England at the time Dryden wrote Absalom and Achitophel?
The Protestant majority opposed the Catholic James, Duke of York, succeeding Charles II
What was the significance of Charles II's marriage to Catherine of Braganza in relation to the succession dispute?
It produced no heir, leading to the dispute over who should succeed Charles II
Which of the following statements about James, Duke of Monmouth, is true?
He was raised at court and made a duke by Charles II
What biblical character did Dryden use to represent Anthony Ashley Cooper, earl of Shaftesbury?
Achitophel
Which character in the poem represented George Villiers, the duke of Buckingham?
Zimri
Who did the character Cora represent in Dryden's allegorical poem?
Titus Oates
Which biblical figure did Dryden use to represent King Louis XIV of France?
The pharoah
Who did the character Shimei represent in Dryden's allegorical poem?
Bethel, sheriff of London
Which character in the poem represented Edward Seymour, speaker of the House of Commons?
Amiel
Study Notes
Historical Context
- In 1681, John Dryden published "Absalom and Achitophel", a poem with a specific political motivation, during the threat of revolution in England.
- The poem was written amidst the Exclusion Crisis, which aimed to exclude King Charles II's Catholic brother, James, from inheriting the throne.
Political Situation
- The reigning King Charles II had no legitimate heir with his wife Catherine of Braganza.
- Charles's bastard son, James, duke of Monmouth, was a contender for the throne, but his legitimacy was disputed.
- Rumors circulated that Charles had secretly married James's mother, Lucy Walter, granting James legitimacy.
Literary Parallels
- Dryden drew parallels between the English situation and ancient Israel under King David, as described in 2 Samuel.
- Each main character in the poem corresponds to a real-life person in Dryden's time.
Character Correspondences
- Absalom, David's bastard son, represented James, duke of Monmouth.
- Achitophel, David's evil confidant, represented Anthony Ashley Cooper, earl of Shaftesbury, who introduced the Exclusion Bill.
- Zimri represented George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, a longtime opponent of Charles.
- Amiel represented Edward Seymour, speaker of the House of Commons.
- Corah represented Titus Oates, who fabricated rumors about the Popish Plot.
- Shimei represented Bethel, sheriff of London.
- The pharaoh in line 281 represented King Louis XIV, ruler of France, an enemy of England.
Discover the specific political motivation behind John Dryden's publication of Absalom and Achitophel in 1681. Learn about the context of the poem during the threat of revolution in England and the political tensions surrounding the Popish plot and exclusion of James, duke of York.
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