Daniel Defoe published his satirical poem The True-Born Englishman in 1701 to defend King William III from his xenophobic rivals. Defoe's poem employs humor to criticize the English culture of the time. The poet uses superficial terms and circumstances to explain English identity, arguing that the evolution of the Englishman was contributed to by foreign invaders.
In the first stanza, Defoe questions the idea of the "pure English bloodline." He debunks this belief, stating that the English bloodline is anything but pure.
That het’rogeneous thing, an Englishman:
In eager rapes, and furious lust begot,
Betwixt a painted Britain and a Scot.
A bloody nation, barbarous and rude:The claim that England should not be placed above other countries is emphasized, especially in the sixth stanza. The poet dismisses the assumption that "England 'twas our Saviour meant, / The Gospel should to all the world be sent." According to Defoe, Britain is not purer, nobler, or more chosen by God than other countries.
Who by the tenure of the sword possess
The True-Born Englishman challenges the very idea of what it means to be an Englishman. Moreover, it demonstrates that every society is a conglomeration of different ethnic groups.
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