Alexander Pope's The Rape of the Lock is a mock-epic. It uses many conventions of the epic poem, but it turns them on their heads to create an hilarious satire that reveals the foolishness of high society.

Pope uses an elevated diction in his poem. His language is formal and high, but it is meant to be a parody of such language in other epics. Consider, for instance, the line, “For lo! the board with cups and spoons is crown'd.” This sounds dignified, but when we think about what it actually says, we have to chuckle.

Further, Pope calls upon the Muses for inspiration, as other epic poets do, and he details the role of supernatural beings (like the sylphs, gnomes, and nymphs) who surround the poem's characters, protecting them and guiding them in epic style. The sylph Ariel even tries to warn Belinda in a dream, another epic convention. Various characters also call upon supernatural creatures for aid (although they aren't especially effective at providing it), and the Baron even makes a sacrifice upon the altar of Love.

Belinda's beauty routine incorporates two more epic conventions: the arming of the hero and religious rites. At her dressing table, Belinda arms herself for battle, preparing all her charms for a day of flirtation. At the same time, she worships beauty (and herself) through the rituals of her beauty routine. Of course, these actions are frivolous compared to a regular epic, and that is the whole point.

The Rape of the Lock even features an epic battle of sorts. The armies are properly cataloged (as an epic does), but the battle unfolds on a card table. The battle is merely a game of cards, but Pope describes it hilariously in all its “epic” glory.