Absalom and Achitophel Essay Questions

What is the purpose of Dryden's Absalom and Achitophel?

Absalom and Achitophel is a satire of Charles II’s political enemies. Dryden uses the biblical episode of King David and his son Absalom as a means of satire. Although Dryden uses biblical names, a contemporary reader could easily discern that King David stood for Charles II and Absalom stood for the Duke of Monmouth. In the poem, Achitophel represents the first Earl of Shaftsbury. The poem shows the plot devised by Absalom and Achitophel to overthrow King David and celebrates the loyalty to the king by his supporters and discredits his enemies. The poem was thus written as a staunch defense of the English monarchy for the purpose of exciting public feelings against Shaftesbury, leader of the Whig party, who was ardently working to exclude the Catholic Duke of York from the succession line and put the Duke of Monmouth, an illegitimate son of Charles II, there instead. The poem was wildly popular and controversial; historians suggest that it swayed public opinion to support Charles II.

How does Dryden satirize the English people in Absalom and Achitophel?

In Absalom and Achitophel, Dryden satirizes the English people for their foolishness and fickleness. They were a "moody" and obstinate race; they were not satisfied with the king and always complained about him; they were the favorites of God but this favoritism led them away from virtue because as God has been over-indulgent with them, they enjoyed the maximum benefits of the ultimate grace of God; they led a life of comfort and luxury which corrupted them; they could not be satisfied with the true freedom under God's law and wrongly yearned for more. Dryden suggests that, in the same way, the English people were not satisfied with their kings. After Oliver Cromwell, they made his foolish son, Richard, the Lord Protector, but soon were dissatisfied with him and dethroned him. They called Charles, who was living in exile, and made him the king of England. However, soon they were motivated to destroy the monarchy. Thus, the English people are tempestuous and capricious, and neither God nor king could satisfy them for a long period.

Why was Absalom unwilling to revolt against his father?

The Duke of Monmouth was the illegitimate son of Charles II. Shaftsbury persuaded him to lead a revolt against his father, but he was at first unwilling to join the plot of Shaftsbury. In the words of Absalom, he argued that his father had an undisputed right to rule the country. His father is the defender of Faith and joy for the people. He is good, generous, and a supporter of the law of the land. He has not done any injustices during the period of his peaceful rule. He is gentle, humble, and always strives for the public good. He says that people may be right in demanding their freedom but he cannot demand freedom because that would be a sort of crime given that he is the son of the king. Thus his filial feelings towards the king restrain him and check him from revolting against his father. Besides, the king is very kind and sympathetic towards his son: the king has supplied all his needs. Thus, Absalom/the Duke of Monmouth has no legal claim to the throne and it would be wrong to endeavor to take it.

With what two matters is Absalom discontented?

Absalom is discontented with two matters: (i) after the death of Charles II, James will be an heir to the throne; and (ii) his status as an illegitimate son of Charles II means he is not privy to any of the benefits of fortune and destiny. Absalom laments that after the death of Charles II, Charles II's legitimate son will ascend to the throne. If he has no legitimate son, then his brother, James, will come to the throne instead. Absalom believes he possesses every quality of a royal. He is loved by the best and the bravest. He is courageous and loved by the people. He laments that God was not favorable to him. If God had been favorable to him, he would have been born as a legitimate son of Charles II. If he was to be born a bastard, he should have been given a mean or vulgar mind. It is a pity that he has been endowed with fine qualities and was born as an illegitimate son.

Describe the adverse effects of the Popish Plot.

The popish plot was a fictitious conspiracy against English Catholics fabricated in 1678 by the Protestants. Though the plot failed, it had a great effect on the people. As the popish plot failed, several dormant political parties surfaced and posed a danger in their desire to overthrow the government. Some persons who were known for wisdom began to oppose the government as they were deprived of higher positions; some persons of high positions confirmed their opposition to authority as they were thrown out of their positions; some rebels were pardoned by the king as they were kinsmen. Many remained quiet for a time but with the Exclusion Crisis revived their dissident behavior.