Comment
on Pope’s use of mock-heroic elements in ‘The Rape of the Lock’.
Heroic or epic poems are poems like Odyssey, the Aeneid and
Paradise Lost, that deals with man's exalted aspects. Their action is powerful, their parsonages are dignified and their style
is elevated. Following the traditions and devices of a serious epic, mock epic
deals with situations and personage in a serious manner and style, but these
situations and personage are trivial and petty. In the result, it produces
humorous effect.
“The Rape of the Lock'' is a mock-heroic epic poem,
both in its matter and spirit. The intention is to reject the artificiality and
hollowness of the Pop's age. Pope had intelligently used the
formula and elevated style of epic poetry but has employed it to something very
trivial. The petty and ridiculous cutting of a lock of hair, has been given an
epic treatment. In the result, the little is made great and great little.
Ultimately, the poem falls in the category of mock-epics.
However, it is important to note that “The Rape of
the Lock'' is a very complex mock epic. It is not limited only to comparison
and parody; rather it has instructive purpose too. Mock- heroic effect is
achieved at three levels; action, convention and style.
At the surface level of the action, the
mock-heroic effect is produced by contrasting Belinda's spending
of day in trivial activities with heroic adventures and great achievements of
heroes and heroines of serious epic. Mockery is also produced by comparing
petty war of sexes— of Belinda and Lord Peter— with the bloody
wars of nations. The desired aim is achieved when the reader find the war of
sexes as that of nations.
