Dryden 's Masterpiece of Political Satire :
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Introduction of John Dryden :
John Dryden (1631–1700) was a towering figure of Restoration literature, widely regarded as the father of English literary criticism and a master of the heroic couplet. As Poet Laureate and a prolific writer, he shaped the political and poetic voice of his era through satirical masterpieces like Absalom and Achitophel, religious allegories such as The Hind and the Panther, and influential critical works like An Essay of Dramatic Poesy. His translations of classical authors, particularly Virgil’s Aeneid, helped bring ancient texts into vigorous, accessible English. Dryden's stylistic precision, intellectual depth, and adaptability to shifting political tides not only defined 17th-century English literature but also laid the foundation for the neoclassical ideals that would dominate the 18th century.
Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden is a famous political satire written in heroic couplets and first published in 1681. It’s widely regarded as Dryden’s greatest poetic achievement and a landmark in English political literature.
Summary of Absolam and Achitophel :
Absalom and Achitophel is a satirical poem by John Dryden that uses a biblical allegory to comment on the political crisis of 17th-century England, specifically the Exclusion Crisis. The poem retells the story of King David and his rebellious son Absalom, paralleling it with King Charles II and his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth. Absalom is persuaded by the cunning Achitophel (representing the Earl of Shaftesbury) to rebel against David’s rightful rule. Dryden portrays David (Charles II) as a wise and patient king, while Achitophel is a manipulative schemer stirring unrest for personal gain. Through this allegory, Dryden criticizes the Whigs’ attempts to exclude the Catholic heir from the throne and defends the divine right and legitimacy of hereditary monarchy. The poem blends political commentary, satire, and poetry to warn against rebellion and political factionalism, emphasizing loyalty and order.
Historical Background of Absalom and Achitophel :
1.The Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681)
it was a major political conflict in England during the reign of King Charles II, centered around the issue of whether his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York (later James II), should be allowed to inherit the throne.
Context:
In 1673, James publicly converted to Catholicism, alarming many in a predominantly Protestant England.
Anti-Catholic sentiment had been stoked by the Popish Plot (1678), a fabricated conspiracy claiming that Catholics planned to assassinate Charles II.
This led to widespread panic and persecution of Catholics, setting the stage for the Exclusion Crisis .
2. The Popish Plot (1678)
it was a fabricated Catholic conspiracy invented by a man named Titus Oates, claiming there was a plan to assassinate King Charles II and replace him with his Catholic brother, James, Duke of York. Though completely false, it triggered mass anti-Catholic hysteria and had deadly consequences.
King Charles II was Anglican, but his brother and heir, James, Duke of York, was openly Catholic, raising public fears of a Catholic monarch.
in the 17th century was deeply Protestant and anti-Catholic due to events like the Reformation, the Gunpowder Plot (1605), and ongoing tensions with Catholic powers like France and Spain.
3.The Monmouth Rebellion (1685)
It was a failed uprising against King James II, led by his illegitimate Protestant nephew, James Scott, Duke of Monmouth. It was an attempt to overthrow a Catholic king and replace him with a Protestant alternative, reflecting deep religious and political tensions in post-Restoration England.
Background:
His brother, James, Duke of York, a Catholic, became King James II.
Many in England feared a return to Catholic absolutism.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, was Charles II’s illegitimate (but Protestant) son and had popular support among Whigs and dissenters.
Charles II died in 1685 without a legitimate heir.
King David represents King Charles II
Absalom represents James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.
Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, a leading Whig politician who pushed for the Exclusion Bill to exclude the Catholic Duke of York from succession.The poem uses the biblical story of Absalom’s rebellion against King David as an allegory for contemporary English politics.
King David represents King Charles II
Absalom represents James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.
Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, a leading Whig politician who pushed for the Exclusion Bill to exclude the Catholic Duke of York from succession.The poem uses the biblical story of Absalom’s rebellion against King David as an allegory for contemporary English politics.
The Allegorical Biblical Foundation of Absalom and AchitophelJohn Dryden’s poem is based on a story from the Bible, specifically from 2 Samuel chapters 13 to 19. This biblical narrative provides the framework and characters Dryden uses as an allegory for the political events of his time.
The Biblical Story (2 Samuel 13–19)
Absalom becomes discontented with his father’s rule and, encouraged by his advisor and counselor Achitophel, plots to revolt against King David.
Achitophel is portrayed as a cunning and manipulative figure who persuades Absalom to rebel and try to seize the throne.
The rebellion causes civil strife, but ultimately David’s loyalists defeat Absalom’s forces, and Absalom dies tragically.
The story is a cautionary tale about ambition, betrayal, and the dangers of rebellion against rightful authority.
Absalom as Monmouth
In John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel:
Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, a leading Whig politician and fierce anti-Catholic campaigner.
Shaftesbury was a central figure in the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681), pushing to exclude James, Duke of York (a Catholic), from the royal succession.
In Dryden’s poem, Absalom symbolizes James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, the illegitimate yet Protestant son of King Charles II.
Absalom, in the biblical story, is King David’s handsome, charismatic, but rebellious son who challenges his father’s rule.
Like Absalom, Monmouth was popular among many Protestants who opposed the Catholic Duke of York (later James II).
Monmouth’s claim to the throne was contested and politically charged, as he was not the legitimate heir but seen by some as a preferable Protestant alternative to James II
The poem explores Monmouth’s ambition and the political dangers of rebellion, portraying him as a figure both admired and manipulated.
Achitophel as ShaftesburyHe strongly supported Monmouth (Absalom) as a Protestant alternative to the Catholicism. In the poem, Achitophel is portrayed as a skilled and manipulative advisor who betrays King David (a metaphor for Charles II) by influencing his son, Absalom (who symbolizes the rebellious figure of the Duke of Monmouth). Shebbelbury, in this case, represents the dangerous ambition and political machinations of those who are manipulating events from the sidelines.
David as Charles II
In John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel:
King David (from the Bible) symbolizes King Charles II of England.
Like David, Charles II is portrayed as a wise, forgiving, and legitimate ruler, who faces rebellion from within his own family.
David’s love for his rebellious son Absalom mirrors Charles II’s affection for his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth.
Despite Monmouth’s (Absalom’s) betrayal, Dryden shows Charles (David) as merciful, reluctant to punish his son harshly, and committed to peace and stability. Themes : 
Politics, Allegory, and Satire in Absalom and Achitophel :
1.Politics:
Dryden, a royalist and supporter of King Charles II, uses the poem to criticize the Whigs, who were pushing for exclusion.
The poem defends the hereditary monarchy and promotes loyalty to the legitimate king.
It warns against political factionalism, rebellion, and the ambition of politicians who exploit public fear for personal gain. 2. Allegory :
John Dryden uses allegory in Absalom and Achitophel to present a political crisis through a biblical lens, allowing him to safely critique and defend real historical figures under the cover of religious storytelling. The poem is based on the biblical story of King David and his rebellious son Absalom (2 Samuel 13–19), which Dryden uses to represent the political tension surrounding the Exclusion Crisis. In this allegory, King David stands for Charles II, the reigning monarch, while Absalom represents the Duke of Monmouth, Charles’s illegitimate but Protestant son, who was seen by many as an alternative heir to the Catholic James, Duke of York.
3.SatireDryden uses satire—sharp, witty, and often cutting language—to mock and expose his political opponents, especially the Whigs.
Achitophel is satirized as intelligent but dangerously ambitious, more concerned with personal power than public good.
Dryden's satire isn’t crude—it’s elevated and poetic, making it more persuasive and powerful for educated audiences of the time.
God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings
The concept of God, Religion, and the Divine Right of Kings is central to the political and religious debates of the early modern period, particularly in Europe. In the context of John Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel, these ideas are critical for understanding the monarchy and its legitimacy.
Divine Right of Kings
The Divine Right of Kings was a political doctrine that asserted that monarchs derive their authority directly from God, rather than from the consent of the people or any earthly authority (like parliament). This idea was especially popular in England during the reign of King James I and his son, King Charles I, and it justified their absolute rule.
Biblical foundation: Monarchs were seen as God's appointed rulers, and questioning or resisting their authority was considered a rebellion against God's will.
Political implication: This belief led to absolutism in monarchy, where the king's decisions were beyond question because they were viewed as divinely ordained.
Legacy and Influence :
John Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel is a powerful example of political satire, using wit, irony, and biblical allegory to critique the political turmoil of 17th-century England. Written during the Exclusion Crisis, the poem attacks the Whig party’s attempt to exclude the Catholic Duke of York from the line of succession, portraying their actions as dangerously ambitious and hypocritical. Through the characters of Absalom (the Duke of Monmouth) and Achitophel (the Earl of Shaftesbury), Dryden mocks those who stir rebellion under the guise of patriotism and religious zeal. Achitophel, in particular, is satirized as a cunning manipulator who exploits public fear for personal power. Dryden uses elevated poetic language and classical references not just to entertain, but to expose political opportunism and defend the authority of King Charles II. The poem’s satire lies in its sharp contrast between the noble image its subjects project and the self-serving motives Dryden reveals beneath, making it both a literary masterpiece and a biting political commentary.
Character List1. Absalom
Absalom is portrayed as a handsome, charismatic, and popular figure, much like the biblical son of King David on whom he is based. In Dryden’s poem, Absalom symbolizes the Duke of Monmouth, King Charles II’s illegitimate but Protestant son. Despite his charm and the affection he receives from the public and his father, Absalom is shown to be naïve and easily influenced, particularly by the manipulative Achitophel, who encourages him to rebel. His ambition to claim the throne blinds him to his duty and loyalty to the king. Although Absalom’s rebellion appears to stem from a desire for justice and religious freedom (Protestantism over Catholicism), Dryden ultimately presents him as a tragic figure—misled, ambitious, and ultimately doomed. His character evokes sympathy but also serves as a warning about the dangers of ambition unchecked by wisdom and loyalty.
Achitophel
Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, a leading Whig politician and key figure in the Exclusion Crisis. Dryden portrays Achitophel as a clever, persuasive, and ambitious manipulator who uses his intellect and charm to influence Absalom (Monmouth) into rebellion. He is depicted as a master strategist, skilled in political intrigue and rhetoric, but also as dangerously self-serving—willing to sow division and unrest for personal gain. Achitophel’s political ambition blinds him to the damage his actions cause to the monarchy and the country. Dryden’s satire paints him as a false prophet, someone who disguises his desire for power behind the veneer of patriotism and religious zeal. Ultimately, Achitophel embodies the corrupting influence of political scheming and the threat posed by manipulative leaders.
David
In Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, David represents King Charles II, the reigning monarch during the Exclusion Crisis. David is portrayed as a wise, just, and patient ruler, embodying the ideal qualities of kingship. Despite facing rebellion from his own son (Absalom/Monmouth), David shows mercy and forgiveness, reflecting both royal dignity and a divine mandate to rule. His character is imbued .
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Conclusion :
In conclusion, John Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel is a profound political allegory that intertwines issues of divine authority, political power, and rebellion. Through the lens of the Biblical story of Absalom’s revolt against his father, King David, Dryden critiques the political climate of his time, particularly the tension between the monarchy and those who sought to undermine it.
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