Monday, February 22, 2010
Guest Blogger - Ben A.
To begin, was it just me or did anyone else have a very hard time thinking of anything other than Dante’s Inferno when they saw the word “canto?” Anyways, I thought I would share my thoughts on The Rape of Lock since there really isn’t anything to ask questions on or discuss so far. When I started reading the first canto I thought it seemed pretty enjoyable but as I moved along It got more confusing and I had less and less understanding of what was happening. I don’t know if this was due to my reading comprehension level or, if I was just zoning out while reading, which is a very good possibility. I finally succumbed and read the sparknotes on it (in supplement to the book of course) and then it made much more sense. One of the things I noticed when I was reading the actual book was that this is one of the few poems, albeit epic, that I enjoy. As I thought about this and what made this poem unique and why I liked it I realized it was the end rhyme. For me poetry just isn’t poetry unless it rhymes. Its shocking just how many poets choose not to use any rhyme scheme, I mean is it really that hard to end with a rhyme? All you have to do is stay away from the word “orange.” Another thing that stood out to me was the amount of Sylphs that were assigned to watch Belinda’s petticoat. I don’t know about you, but to me 50 sylphs watching one petticoat is a bit excessive. Was it really that cold?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Hi I really enjoy your insight on the poem. It's a great amusement to hear what you had to say about Rape of the Lock. I also read it and kind of found it confusing. But then again when I read these things it's in the middle of the night because that's when it's quietest. Hopefully if i find the sparknotes that too will help me. I find it refreshing to find another person that considers poetry not poetry unless it rhymes. Although I myslef am a bit hypocritical about that because I write poems very often that have no rhyme whatsoever.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the epic poem The Rape of the Lock was more interesting and entertaining than other poetry. The Rape of The Lock satire was well written, and very comical. Also, I agree that it was confusing! The sophisticated language made it difficult to follow. Additionally the allusions made it challenging to comprehend. Overall, the poem was entertaining, but difficult to read.
ReplyDeleteI really liked Rape of the Lock, just because it was hilarious! I liked the comical overreaction of both Belinda and the Baron. I thought the overall 'epic battle' between the two courtiers was Belinda shoving snuff up the Baron's nose and sticking him with a long hairpin, her most 'deadly' weapon. What made me actually laugh out loud was when Pope used such allusions like Othello to give the story more 'meaning'. I think the overall overdone-ness of the mock epic really shows how silly and pointless the whole social warfare going on between the two families was ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteThe rape of the lock was ridiculous! That is the first word that comes to my mind when I rethink back to that story! Of course it was a part of the plan, as a satiric novel, but when i take the time to think it over, I realize how much more we see this in our day-to-day lives! Everyone has once in their lifetime started a fight or argument or gotten upset over a very simple matter, and this is exactly what The rape of the Lock proved! Little things add up and have a big effect in the end, depending on what it is, it can be good, or bad, and in this case it was bad!
ReplyDeleteI liked The Rape because of the way it over-exaggerated such a simple-minded task. It was humorous to see just how much Belinda tweaked because some dude cut off 1 piece of her hair. Hair grows back! And the dude felt so triumphant for cutting off said piece of hair. Nijhum is right, ridiculous is a fitting word, but amusingly ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteI also like how you said you sparknoted AND read the story, suuuuuure... :)
OOPS. I MEANT THE RAPE OF THE LOCK!****
ReplyDeleteLol, "The Rape"
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I thought it was a little difficult to understand at first, but once you get into the flow of things, it's a pretty smooth read. I'm pretty sure that I had a smile on my face the whole time, it was amusing. It made me realize though, behind all the mock-epicness of the poem, it's really true. People do make HUGE deals out of small problems. The thing I related it to almost immediately was the news, and how it focuses on celebrity lives and not the important issues. Does anyone care if Brad Pitt goes swimming? No, and it should not be news worthy. Do you think that maybe thats what the new epic poem of this year should be?