Thinking Activity: Absalom and Achitophel

THINKING ACTIVITY: ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL

Absalom and Achitophel is a satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic couplets and first published in 1681. Although, on the title page, Dryden himself describes it simply as "a poem" rather than satire. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against King David; in this context, it is an allegory used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681). The poem also references the Popish Plot (1678) and the Monmouth Rebellion (1685). 

Absalom and Achitophel is "generally acknowledged as the finest political satire in the English language". 

What is Satire:

The use humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.

Background and Character Representation:

The story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, King David, is told in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the Second Book of Samuel (chapters 14 to 18).

Dryden’s characters in Poem	Historical Characters
David	King Charles-II
Absalom	James Scott, Duke of Monmouth
Achitophel	Antony Ashley Cooper
Saul	Oliver Cromwell
David’s Brother	James-II
Corah	Titus Oates
Shimei	Slingsby Bethel
Zimri	George Villiers
The Pharaoh	Louis -XIV of France
Ishbosheth	Richard Cromwell
Jonas	William Jones
Zadoc	William Sancroft
Barzillai	James Butler
Barzillai’s Eldest Son	Thomas Butler
Jotham	George Savile
Amiel	Edward Seymour

List of characters who favoured and were against King David (Charles II).

Against King David	In Favour of King David
Absalom	Absalom
Achitophel	Barzillai
Corah	Jotham
Shimei	Ameil
Zimri	Zadoc
The pharaoh	The Pharaoh
Jonas	Hushai
Nadab	Adriel
Caleb	Sagan of Jerusalem
Balaam

Dryden’s direct address “To the Reader” preceding the lengthy poem proves of interest. While he hoped to treat each political faction fairly, he acknowledged that “he who draws his pen for one party must expect to make enemies of the other. For Wit and Fool are consequents of Whig and Tory, and every man is a knave or an Ass to the contrary side.” He also stated he would take comfort in the “manifest prejudice to my cause” that the opposition would surely publicize, as that prejudice would “render their judgment of less authority against me.” Continuing, Dryden offers the opinion that “if a poem have a genius, it will force its own reception in the world.” His supporting logic for that idea was “for there’s a sweetness in good verse which tickles even while it hurts, and no man can be heartily angry with him who pleases him against his will.” His tone turns sharply sober later when he informs his readers, “I have but laugh’d at some men’s follies, when I could have declaim’d against their vices, and other men’s virtues I have commended as freely as I have tax’d their crimes.”