Absolam and Achitophel by John Dryden

Hello Everyone 😊

This blog is in response to the thinking task assigned by Dr. Dilip Sir Barad . In this blog we are going to discuss about the poem by John Dryden "Absolam and Achitophel".

Question :

1. Characters in favour of David and that of Achitophel - draw table and write a few lines on each character in two columns of the table. You can also 'prompt' ChatGPT or Bard to generate tabular format of characters in favour and against of King David / Charles II.

Answer:

About John Dryden:

John Dryden, born in 1631, was a versatile English poet and playwright who left an indelible mark on the literary landscape of Restoration England. Despite his modest beginnings, Dryden displayed exceptional talent from a young age. He received his education at Westminster School and later graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge.

Dryden's literary career flourished during the turbulent times of the English Civil War and the subsequent Restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. His early works included successful comedies and tragicomedies such as "The Wild Gallant" and "Marriage à la Mode," which showcased his wit and keen social observations.

What set Dryden apart was his remarkable versatility as a poet. He excelled in various poetic forms, from the structured elegance of heroic couplets to the lyrical beauty of odes and the incisive wit of satires.

As a playwright, Dryden became the official playwright for the King's Company and produced a series of acclaimed plays, including "All for Love," a reimagining of Shakespeare's "Antony and Cleopatra." His theatrical works delved into themes of love, honor, and political intrigue.

In 1670, Dryden was appointed Poet Laureate, a position he held for over twenty years. During this time, he wrote the famous "Annus Mirabilis" (Year of Wonders), celebrating English naval victories against the Dutch. He also penned powerful political satires, most notably "Absalom and Achitophel," using biblical allegory to comment on the political strife of his time.

John Dryden's influence on English literature is enduring. His neoclassical approach, emphasizing order, reason, and clarity in writing, laid the foundation for a literary movement that would shape subsequent generations. His eloquent and insightful writings continue to captivate readers and inspire writers, securing his legacy as a literary giant of the Restoration era.

About the poem Absolam and Achitophel by John Dryden:

The story of David and Achitophel is a biblical tale that has been retold and reinterpreted throughout history. In Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel, the story is used as an allegory for the political and religious turmoil of England in the late 17th century.

David, in Dryden's poem, represents King Charles II. He is a wise and just ruler, but he is also a flawed human being. He is deeply loved by his people, but he is also vulnerable to the temptations of power and ambition.

Absalom, David's son and heir, is a vain and ambitious man. He is easily manipulated by Achitophel, a brilliant but evil counselor, into leading a rebellion against his father.

Achitophel is the mastermind of the rebellion. He is a master of strategy and manipulation. He is also a ruthless and ambitious man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Hushai, Zadok, Abiathar, and Benaiah are all loyal supporters of David. They help him to defeat Absalom and his followers.

The people of Israel are initially divided in their support for David, but eventually rally behind him. They are loyal to David because he is a strong and just ruler.

Characters in favor of David

* Hushai

* Zadok

*Abiathar

*Benaiah

*The people of Israel

Characters in favor of Achitophel

*Absalom

*Shimei

*Zimri

*Corah

Characters in favour of King David ( Charles II:

Characters in favour of Achitophel:

Explanation of the characters: 

David vs. Achitophel : 

David vs. Achitophel  represents the conflict between two opposing political factions in Dryden's time: the Royalists, who supported King Charles II, and the Whigs, who wanted to exclude Charles's illegitimate son James from the throne. Dryden was a Royalist, and his poem is a satire of the Whigs and their leaders, particularly Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, who is represented by the character of Achitophel.

Absalom :

Absolam represents James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, who was Charles II's illegitimate son. Monmouth was a popular figure among the Whigs, and he was seen as a potential rival to Charles's legitimate heir, James. In the poem, Absalom is seduced by Achitophel into rebelling against his father. However, Absalom's rebellion is ultimately crushed, and he is killed.

The other characters :

The other characters represent various other political figures from Dryden's time. For example, Hushai represents Laurence Hyde, 1st Earl of Rochester, who was a loyal supporter of Charles II. Barzillai represents George Savile, 1st Marquis of Halifax, who was a moderate politician who tried to mediate between the Royalists and the Whigs. Adriel represents John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave, who was a poet and satirist who supported Charles II. Sagan of Jerusalem represents Henry Compton, Bishop of London, who was a loyal supporter of the Church of England. Corah represents Titus Oates, a perjurer who fabricated a story about a Popish Plot to assassinate Charles II. Shimei represents Roger L'Estrange, a political pamphleteer who attacked Charles II and his supporters. Zimri represents William Howard, 1st Viscount Stafford, who was a Catholic nobleman who was executed for his alleged involvement in the Popish Plot.

Dryden's poem is a complex and sophisticated work of satire, and the characters in the poem are all carefully drawn. Dryden uses his characters to explore the political and religious issues of his time, and to offer his own commentary on the events of the day.

Conclusion:

In nutshell, we can say that John Dryden's "Absalom and Achitophel" masterfully uses biblical allegory to satirize the political landscape of his time. Through a cast of vivid characters, he illuminates the tensions between those in favor of the monarchy and those challenging its authority. This timeless work continues to provide valuable insights into the complexities of power, loyalty, and rebellion, making it a lasting masterpiece of political satire and literary commentary.