The Rape of the Lock (Masterplots, Revised Second Edition)
At a glance:
- Author: Alexander Pope
- First Published: 1712
- Type of Work: Poetry
- Type of Plot: Mock-heroic
- Time of Work: Early eighteenth century
- Setting: London
- Principal Characters: Belinda, Lord Petre, Thalestris, Ariel, Umbriel
- Genres: Satire, Poetry, Mock-heroic poetry
- Subjects: Dreams, Beauty, England or English people, Eighteenth century, Card games, London, Hair, Boats or boating, Vanity
- Locales: London, England
The Story:
At noon, when the sun was accustomed to awaken both lap dogs and lovers, Belinda was still asleep. She dreamed that Ariel appeared to whisper praises of her beauty in her ear. He said that he had been sent to protect her because something dreadful—what, he did not know—was about to befall her. He also warned her to beware of jealousy, pride, and, above all, men.
After Ariel had vanished, Shock, Belinda’s lap dog, thought that his mistress had slept long enough, and he awakened her by lappings of his tongue. Rousing herself, Belinda spied a letter on her...
[The entire page is 2766 words long]
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