The part Belinda plays in the social drama of The Rape of the Lock is
at once despicable and endearing. Discuss
The chief character of the poem The Rape of the Lock is Belinda, a
typical belle of the 18th century London. The life and character of
contemporary ladies are well represented by her, pleasure and fashion are the
great ends of her life. She cares more for dresses for dances and gaieties of
life than for her honour or her religion. Outwardly she appears to be
attractive and beautiful, but inwardly, she is vain, frivolous and empty devoid
of all sense and wisdom.
The faults of Belinda are many as
portrayed by Pope in his mock-heroic epic. She is a flirt, a goddess as well as
a pretty spoiled child.
Her religious ceremony:
At the outset we learn that she is a lazy woman who continues to sleep till the hour of twelve in the day and who, on working up; at that hour, falls asleep again, to be awakened ultimately by the licking tongue of her pet dog. When she does finally rise from bed, she goes through a love letter which is waiting for her and which makes her forget the vision that she has seen. Soon she gets busy with her toilet. Pope represents the operation of Belinda as a sacret religious rite performed by her. She is the priestess of fashion. Assisted by her maid Betty, she opens one after another various boxes and caskets, containing perfumery, gems, and articles of luxurious adornments.
