The Rape of The Lock
Pre-Class Writing Assignment
As discussed in the introduction to “Mac Flecknoe,” the mock epic genre “treats the low, mean, or absurd in the grand language, lofty style, and solemn tone of epic poetry. The obvious disparity between subject and style makes the satiric point” (Greenblatt et al. 2237). Pope’s The Rape of the Lock is a much more extended example of this genre. For this exercise, focus on one of the following passages from the poem to answer the three questions below: Canto 1, lines 121-144 (2690); Canto 3, lines 37-100 (2694-6); or Canto 5, lines 75-104 (2703).
1) What is literally happening in this passage? Summarize what Belinda and the other character(s) are doing in these lines. In these lines, Belinda and the ladies are putting on their makeup for the day and getting ready to head out.
2) To what different kind of event, one that would be more typical of a “real” epic, are the activities in these lines being implicitly compared? Discuss some of the mock epic devices Pope uses in this passage to make his satiric point. When he says, “ With head uncover'd, the cosmetic pow'rs.” in line 124, he talks about how her face isnt full of make up, but soon, she will use her “cosmetic powers” to make herself more attractive. This is funny to me because I think of women nowadays using makeup to make t hemselves look better, but I had never though of women having cosmetic powers.
3) Discuss your response to the passage. Did you find it funny? Explain why (or why not). No, I didnt find it funny. I compared to the girls putting on makeup as women do today. We still go into the bathroom to do our hair and makeup, we have “cosmetic powers” where men know nothing about how to put on eye liner, as well as chatting amongst themselves about the day's activities. Extra Credit:
4) Read the definition of zeugma in the glossary of literary terminology (page A27). This is a device that Pope uses often in The Rape of the Lock.
As discussed in the introduction to “Mac Flecknoe,” the mock epic genre “treats the low, mean, or absurd in the grand language, lofty style, and solemn tone of epic poetry. The obvious disparity between subject and style makes the satiric point” (Greenblatt et al. 2237). Pope’s The Rape of the Lock is a much more extended example of this genre. For this exercise, focus on one of the following passages from the poem to answer the three questions below: Canto 1, lines 121-144 (2690); Canto 3, lines 37-100 (2694-6); or Canto 5, lines 75-104 (2703).
1) What is literally happening in this passage? Summarize what Belinda and the other character(s) are doing in these lines. In these lines, Belinda and the ladies are putting on their makeup for the day and getting ready to head out.
2) To what different kind of event, one that would be more typical of a “real” epic, are the activities in these lines being implicitly compared? Discuss some of the mock epic devices Pope uses in this passage to make his satiric point. When he says, “ With head uncover'd, the cosmetic pow'rs.” in line 124, he talks about how her face isnt full of make up, but soon, she will use her “cosmetic powers” to make herself more attractive. This is funny to me because I think of women nowadays using makeup to make t hemselves look better, but I had never though of women having cosmetic powers.
3) Discuss your response to the passage. Did you find it funny? Explain why (or why not). No, I didnt find it funny. I compared to the girls putting on makeup as women do today. We still go into the bathroom to do our hair and makeup, we have “cosmetic powers” where men know nothing about how to put on eye liner, as well as chatting amongst themselves about the day's activities. Extra Credit:
4) Read the definition of zeugma in the glossary of literary terminology (page A27). This is a device that Pope uses often in The Rape of the Lock.