For Educational Purpose

1. Absalom and Achitophel as
a Political Satire

2. Name: Bhavyata Kukadiya
Roll No: 6 Enrollment No: 4069206420220018
Sem:1
Paper Number : 101 Paper code: 22392
Paper Name:Literature of Elizabethan and Restoration Periods
Topic:Absalom and Achitophel as a Political Satire
Submitted to:Smt S.B Gardi ,Department of English, M.K.B.U.
E- mail: bhavyatakukadiya@gmail.com
2

3. Introduction of the Poem
• Absalom and Achitophel is a poem by John
Dryden(1631-1700).
• It is a political satire written in 1681.
• Revolves around rebellion of Absalom
against his father, King David.
• It criticises the Government of Whigs and
fake praises Tory.
• It is allegory to used to represent the story
that was contemporary to Dryden that
concerned King Charles II.
• Dryden paints the picture in a manner the
public wants and yet satirizes the ruling
party.
Date 3

4. Writing Style of Dryden
● Dryden’s all of the works were political.
● He defended constitutional monarchy which seemed rightful for
England.
● Dryden loved satirizing political parties very much.
● He would describe things in a manner where people find it as an
appreciation while it is scrutinising.

5. ”The smoothness,the numbers,and the
turn of heroic poetry”
● Elevation of the Style is most evident when a speech is to be introduced.
● Miltonic description of the temptation, the unusual arrangement of the words make it
heroic.
● Character such as a corah and Shimar are described , the style is according lowered.
● Dryden refers to the ‘devil’ who induced Adam and Eve eat from the apple tree, the same
devil (Achitophel ) who Induced Absalom to revolt against his father , king David and the
same devil who lured James, the Duke of Monmouth ,to revolt against his father king
Charles II.

6. Modern time relation
There are many news channels and reporters who telecast paid news or news that
is pleasing to the ears of the ruling party.
Being civilians of a democratic nation, we still have to think twice before speaking
anything against the political parties.
We have double standards prevalent in our society where a campaign initiated by a
political party is been debated upon, even if for the betterment.
Political parties prefer their winning arguments over the welfare of civilians as well.

7. Hindu scripture and equivocal language
In Epic Mahabharata when ashwathama named elephant is killed
during war, with manipulative language it is announced that
ashwathama, the son of Guru Dronacharya is martyred.
As a result, he puts his guards down and hence is pierced with arrows,
taking is life away.
प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी ने 2014 क
े प्रचार में लोगों से बार-बार वादा ककया था
कक वो इस पद पर चौकीदार बन कर रहेंगे. प्रधानसेवक बन कर रहेंगे. राहुल
गांधी ने चौकीदार चोर का नारा लगाया और राफ
े ल से लेकर नीरव मोदी और
कवजय माल्या क
े भागने पर ये शोर मचाया कक चौकीदार ने चोरी करने दी.
(“Lok Sabha Polls 2019 BJP Congress On Chowkidar”)

8. Satirical poetry in political context
…રાજ, તમારા દિવ્ય વસ્ત્ર ને દિવ્ય તમારી જ્યોદત
રાજ, તમોને અસલી રૂપે આખી નગરી જોતી
હોય મરિ તે આવી બોલો ‘રાજા મેરા નંગા’
રાજ, તમારા રામરાજ્યમાં શબવાદહની ગંગા. (Khakhar)
During the pandemic time, despite of having better facilities than
other developing Nations, we still had piles of dead bodies and
hospital beds full of patients, resulting in hinderance of the
progress of the Nation.

9. Political Situation During Dryden’s
Time
● He has described his political views in his works, Anglican and Catholic views
are represented in his Two works Religio Laici and The Hind and the Panther.
one scholar has remarked that ,
“ Sufficiently alive to describe the working constitution
of the government of the United State.”
● In beginning of carrier he supported a constitutional monarchy.
● John Dryden Representation of Restoration Politics in Absalom and Achitophel
where he Exclusion Bill Whig and Tory party , In Represent James II and Charles
II.

10. Works Cited
● Fujimura, Thomas. “Dryden's Changing Political Views.” JSTOR. JSTOR,
https://www.jstor.org/stable/43292487. Accessed 14 October 2022.
● “Lok Sabha Polls 2019 BJP Congress On Chowkidar.” NDTV.in, 19 March
2019, https://ndtv.in/videos/lok-sabha-polls-2019-bjp-congress-on-
chowkidar-509675. Accessed 13 October 2022.
● Mathur, Meeta. “Absalom and Achitophel : A Satire.” vol. 3, no. 5, 2018.
10
Works Cited
Fujimura, Thomas. “Dryden's
Changing Political Views.” JSTOR.
JSTOR,
https://www.jstor.org/stable/432924
87. Accessed 14 October 2022.
“Lok Sabha Polls 2019 BJP
Congress On Chowkidar.” NDTV.in,
19 March 2019,
https://ndtv.in/videos/lok-sabha-
polls-2019-bjp-congress-on-
chowkidar-509675. Accessed 13
October 2022.
Mathur, Meeta. “Absalom and
Achitophel : A Satire.” vol. 3, no. 5,
2018.