Alexander Pope, The Rape of the Lock

Alexander Pope's mock-epic The Rape of the Lock reflects the age of Enlightenment and the resurgence of a Neo-Classicism in the eighteenth century. Pope utilizes the epic conventions in order to satirize them, and with it, the society of his day.
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[@robertgainer1395]

Pope uses the word rape in its Latin sense, from Latin ‘rapere’ meaning to grab, snatch, take away, steal. It is not used in the modern context of intercourse without consent. However, both senses denote a violation, and I think Pope was fully aware of the power of the term when using it as the title to his poem. The notion of something relatively minor being blown out of proportion fits the major conceit of the work.

[@LitProf]

Exactly.

[@robsonmabasatsveta7983]

Quite helpful and enlightening. This a lesson for checking ourselves to avoid allowing trivial things grow out of proportion. ' Beware of all but most of all Beware of men."

[@tyroneslothrop3058]

I found the discussion about Pope and the Rosicrucian doctrine of spirits interesting. As for whether or not Pope believed in the doctrine, I agree with you that he really didn't. I see his use of the Rosicrucian doctrine as his way of poking fun at the aristocrats of his age without having to use more serious machinery of the Greeks and Christianity. In using the Rosicrucian doctrine of spirits, Pope approached a frivolous, light hearted event, the Rape of the Lock, without having to mock the Greek pantheon or Christianity along with it. Plus, Pope loves to mock the superstitions, the tomes of casuistry, the astrology of Partridge, of his age. Perhaps his use of the Rosicrucian doctrine of spirits was his way of mocking them as superstitions too. But that's a conjecture. Just a guess at the moment. Anyways, great lecture! underrated KZbin channel!

[@marieascot]

I'm interested in the Rosicrucian aspect of the poem. I'm NOT a literature buff but a history buff and just stumbled on this video.

[@sarbanimohapatra3432]

a delightful lecture and reading! Thank you

[@pratibhadahiya3016]

This was really helpful. Thanks for uploading this. :)

[@LitProf]

You're welcome.

[@mgbouzon6866]

Great ! Thanks for this interesting lecture

[@gowrinandana8999]

Aren't there 5 cantos?

[@biavezestres]

great! thanks!

[@spellboundtarot1264]

Thank you sir. 👌🏻

[@MH_Raees]

Informative ...from India

[@SauravKumar-sk8xz]

Thanks.... It's intresting as always but could you name the book you were reading the poem from?

[@LitProf]

Why does that matter?

[@SauravKumar-sk8xz]

@@LitProf just wanted to buy...

[@LitProf]

Buy any edition

[@SauravKumar-sk8xz]

@@LitProf Alright, thanks prof...

[@PortoWingo]

I must be missing something. Why are there often no dates on when these videos were produced? At the rate in which incidents and thinking are occurring these daze, it would be helpful to know the dates of comments being cast in the guise of "isn't it oblivious". I can't help but wonder about the comments on why a young woman at the time of Pope's writing Loch wouldn't have a good reason to be pissed off with a loch of her hair being "jokingly cut". April 20, 2022

[@LitProf]

It's a satire that employs irony.

[@Max.Wiggins]

I think he had had polio causing his defirmities. Rapper made the big bucks though starting with his version of the Iliad. The big bucks.

[@LitProf]

You are right. He had polio.

[@bigl1153]

Facts facts

[@ranadawood1782]

Watching From Pakistan Nice

[@LitProf]

Thanks for watching

[@Max.Wiggins]

Salve, Doctor Much Love and Respect All you English -singing rappers, I dare say you should be studying this man's words more than anybody else's: apart from your own, and the Lord Yeshua's, Alexander Pope's ! I am delighted to see there's a concordance extant. You can check out your rimes, Ya'all.

[@dnkeane30]

Charles II was not Roman Catholic.

[@LitProf]

Sorry, did I say he was?

[@Jint55metalhead]

​@@LitProf 0.58

[@marieascot]

13:55 Having to explain irony to a non UK audience. :-)

[@lohkoonhoong6957]

: But ancient friends (though poor, or out of play) That touch my bell, I cannot turn away.

[@djalshwrtanylmdmusic7162]

thank u. From iraq✌🌷

[@LitProf]

Thanks for listening!

[@commelalune4645]

Really informative

[@jenitapraisyr8448]

Thank you sir!

[@renanvirginio2197]

THANK YOU - FROM BRAZIL!

[@LitProf]

Thanks for watching.

[@Mellabellaluna]

6:50