The+Rape+of+the+Lock

=Sheet Questions: Christine Lamb=

Satire, Mock Epic à long in length; formal language; heroic conflict; but shows the absurdity (mocks)
 * Genre/Influence:**

- satirical - allusion – Canto III, lines 138-139 (Holy Trinity) - Canto V, line 35 (Jove/Jupiter/Zeus) - Canto III, lines 50-65 (to other kings & queens) - Canto V, lines 8-14 (various Gods)
 * Distinguishable Poetic Devices/Style:**

- during time of colonialism (referred to in Canto III, lines 7-8), when England,Scotland and Ireland prevail; situated in an upper class society and their vain ways.
 * Historical Period/Influence:**

- __Belinda:__ upper class young woman, vain about appearance and over-confident, has hair taken by the baron – raped!; goes up against two men in a card game “ombre”; has - Sylphs to protect her and watch over her, but they can’t protect her hair because deep in her heart, she truly wants the baron. - __Baron:__ wants to have Belinda, and takes matters into his own hands and cuts off a lock of her hair while she is sipping her coffee. - __Clarissa:__ assists the baron in cutting her hair by providing the scissors, or the “two-edged weapon”. - __Ariel:__ the male, main sylph of Belinda’s - __Umbriel:__ melancholy sprite who has the bag full of women’s weapons - __Sir Plume__: name symbolism – wears a plume on his hat - __Sir Dapperwit, Sir Fopling__
 * Characters/Relationships:**

This satirical epic takes place in the period of Romantics, when high society had the self-absorbed way of life.
 * Setting/Plot:**

__Canto I__: this is the statement of purpose for the poem, and invokes the muse

__Canto II:__ the protagonist, Belinda, is on a boat headed toHampton Courtwith her family, and this is where the Baron first sights her and decides he wants her, and will take a lock of her curls.

__Canto III:__ this further explains the ways of high society, from their faulty, unfair justice system to the fact that this whole session atHampton Courtis to gossip. It also is the start of the two on one card game, and we see Belinda’s sylphs trying to help her out as much as possible. Unfortunately, and very sorely, Belinda loses. During an ‘after battle’ coffee, Clarissa provides the scissors to the baron and he cuts off a lock of her hair and she dramatically screeches. Her Sylph’s could not help her because deep down she wanted the baron to take her hair, because she loves him.

__Canto IV:__ the battle of the sexes is built up; we’re also reminded that men fight with their physical strength, while women fight with their sighs, sobs, passion and tongue. Umbriel, a sylph, has the bag of women’s weapons including tears and words (remembering things from before); he provides these for Belinda. At this time, Clarissa had turned her other side and wants to now help Belinda and asks for reason.

__Canto V__: the battle of the sexes commences, and both fighting styles are displayed. The ultimate decider of the battle is when Jove weighs men’s wits versus lady’s will on the scales of justice and the lady’s win; the hair was heavier because it has more value because she was wronged. For this, Belinda wants the baron to die and attempts to kill him by flicking snuff at him (titillating dust) but that doesn’t work so she kills him with the bodkin from her hair. God took her hair and made it a comet in the sky; but the actual lock of hair will rot with Belinda when she dies.

There are many allusions to Greek and Roman Gods including at the end when Jove weighs the man’s wit versus the woman’s will on the scales; the satirical aspect is shown as an example in the first canto when Pope is explaining the way of life for these upper class people at Hampton Court and is going into great detail about their vanity and absurdity.
 * Thematic Observations:**

- Canto III, lines 102-103: “O thoughtless mortals; ever so blind to fate/ Too soon dejected, and too soon elate.” - we let our emotions guide us and become too over-confident ; the balance should be even - Canto III, lines 122-123: “Ah, cease, rash youth! desist ere ‘tis too late,/Fear the just gods, and think of Scylla’s fate!” – beware of the consequences of actions and of other people (referring to Belinda having to be careful about Clarissa’s sudden change of heart) - Canto III, lines 126-127: “But when to mischief mortals bend their will,/How soon they find fit instruments of ill!” – we will do what it takes to get what we ultimately want
 * Quotable – Memorisable Quotes/Analysis:**

__**TEXT ( QUESTIONS ) FOR THE RAPE OF THE LOCK - ALEXANDER POPE**__ __**- LUCY HIGGS**__ " Four knaves in garbs succinct, a trusty band, Caps on their heads, and halberts in their hand; And particolored troops,..." ( l. 42-44 )
 * 1. Who are Belinda's opponents and allies in the game of cards?**
 * A.** In the game of cards Belinda thinks she will win, she knows she will win. But her opponents being;

And her allie being her trustworthy sylph Ariel. " Not louder shrieks to pitying heaven are cast, When husbands, or when lap dogs breathe their last; " ( l. 158-159 ) " Just then, Clarissa drew with tempting grace A two-edged weapon from her shining case: So ladies in romance assist their knight, Present the spear, and arm him for the fight. " ( l. 127- 130 )
 * 2. How does Belinda win the game?**
 * A.** Belinda does not win the game of cards, even though she was postive that she would win. Her reaction to losing is absolutely insane.
 * 3. How does Clarissa assist the baron?**
 * A.** Clarissa assists the baron by helping him cut ( remove ) off a lock of Belinda's hair without approval.

" She sees, and trembles at the approaching ill, Just in the jaws of ruin, and codille. And now ( as oft in some distempered state ) On one nice trick depends the general fate. " ( l. 92- 95 )
 * 4. Why is Ariel unable to protect Belinda?**
 * A.** Ariel ( Belinda's guardian angel / sylph ) is unable to help Belinda because she actually loves the baron. Even though she feels hatrid towards him since he " raped " her, she deep down wants him and Ariel knows this and can't protect her from possible horrible outcomes.

" A sudden star, it shot through liquid air, And drew behind a radiant trail of hair... Then cease, bright nymph! to mourn thy ravished hair, Which adds new glory to the shining sphere! Not all the tresses that fair head can boast, Shall draw such envy as the lock you lost. For, after all the murders of your eye, When, after millions slain, ourself shall die; When those fair suns shall set, as set they must, And all those tresses shll be laid in dust, This lock, the Muse shall consecrate to fame, And 'midst the stars inscribe Belinda's name. " ( l. 77- 88 )
 * 5. What happens to the lock of hair?**
 * A.** A battle of the sexes begins, men fighting through anger and violence while women fight by using passion and words. With this Umbriel ( a sylph ) presents Belinda with a bag of weapons, such as; tears and words. Also Clarissa switches sides and wants to help Belinda. And Belinda wanting the baron to die she tries killing him by flicking a dust like substance, called snuff, at him. But this fails so she removes a bodkin ( hair pin ) from her hair and kills the baron. With that God takes her hair and makes it a star, but when Belinda dies her hair will rot with her.