Discuss Alexandar Pope as a Representative Poet.

Answer

Write a note on Pope’s works and contribution to the Neo-classical age.

Or, discuss the main trends of the Neo-classical age, focusing on the satirical tone of Alexander Pope. 

Or, discuss the general characteristics of Neo-classical poetry.

Or, give a brief account of Satire in the eighteenth century with reference to Pope and Dryden. [NU. 2020]

Or, discuss Alexandar Pope as a new-classicist.

Or, write a note on Pope’s works and contribution to the neo-classical age. 

Or, discuss Alexandar Pope as a representative poet.

The Neo-Classical Age (1660–1785) was a time of reason over emotion. This age admired classical literature (ancient Greek and Roman literature) and strict poetic rules. Alexander Pope (1688-1744) is a prominent figure in the Neo-classical Age. His works present the ideals of this age. Pope’s poetry is full of wit, wisdom, and satire. He wrote in heroic couplets (two rhyming lines). His works mocked the society, politics, and false pride. Here we will discuss the main trends of the Neo-classical age with reference to Pope and Dryden.

Reason Over Emotion: The Neo-classical Age valued logic more than feelings. Pope’s poems always tried to teach logic and common sense. Pope attacks bad poets and critics of his time. He calls them foolish and harmful to literature. In his poem “An Essay on Criticism,” Pope writes:

“A little Learning is a dang’rous Thing;”

This means half-knowledge can make people arrogant. John Dryden’s “Mac Flecknoe” is also a satirical poem. The poem mocks bad poets who were declining literary standards.

Satire: Satire was a popular style in the Neo-classical age. Writers used humor and irony to criticize the weaknesses of individuals and society. Pope used satire to mock greed, vanity, and bad art. Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock” stands as a satirical masterpiece. This iconic epic mocks the fanciful nature of the aristocratic society of 18th-century England. It tells the story of a young woman, Belinda. Her lock of hair is cut by a nobleman, the Baron. Here, Pope makes fun of high society and their