The Rape of the Lock
by Alexander Pope
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At a glance:
- Author: Alexander Pope
- First Published: 1712
- Type of Work: Poetry
- Type of Plot: Mock heroic
- Setting: London
- 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: Europe, London, England, United Kingdom
The Poem:
At noon, when the sun is accustomed to awaken both lap dogs and lovers, Belinda is still asleep. She dreams that the sprite Ariel appears to whisper praises of her beauty in her ear. He says that he has been sent to protect her because something dreadful—what, he does not know—is about to befall her. He also warns her to beware of jealousy, pride, and, above all, men.
After Ariel vanishes, Shock, Belinda’s lapdog, thinking that his mistress has slept long enough, awakens her with the lapping of his tongue. Rousing herself, Belinda spies a letter on her...
(The entire page is 2927 words.)
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