How does Belinda wake up from her bed in the morning?
The Rape of the Lock is a notable literary work by Alexander Pope. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of The Rape of the Lock.
Answer
How does Belinda wake up from her bed in the morning?
Belinda is a rich and pretty girl. She lives in London and enjoys having fun. In Canto 1 of “The Rape of the Lock” (1712), Pope (1688-1744) shows how she wakes up. Her morning is slow and full of style. She sleeps late and wakes like a queen. Her wake-up shows her rich life and proud nature. Let us see how it happens.
Still Sleeping at Noon: The poem starts with the sun rising. But Belinda is still sleeping. It is already twelve o’clock. Her dog and others are awake. But she stays in bed. Her sleep is soft and long. It is evident in the following lines.
“Now lap-dogs give themselves the rousing shake,
And sleepless lovers, just at twelve, awake:”
Dream from a Spirit: Belinda has a strange dream. It comes from Ariel. It is her guardian sylph. Sylphs are air spirits. They protect proud and pretty girls. In the dream, a shining young man speaks. He says many spirits guard her beauty. He warns her to be careful that day. He tells her,
“Beware of all, but most beware of Man!”
Lapdog Wakes Her Up: Belinda wakes up at last. Her pet dog, named Shock, licks her face. She opens her eyes slowly. She forgets the dream quickly. Then she gets a love letter. That makes her feel happy again. The warning is lost from her mind. She now gets ready for the day ahead.
In short, Belinda wakes up like a royal lady. Her morning is slow, rich, and dreamy. She is warned in her sleep, but does not care. Her dog wakes her with love. A love letter brings joy to her. This wake-up shows her beauty, pride, and rich lifestyle.