CHARACTERS IN ABSALOM AND ACHITOPHEL
This blog is in response to the blog task given us as a classwork on Absalom and Achitophel by Dr. Dilip Barad sir. In this blog I am going to talk about the characters in the poem who are favoring King David (Charles II) and those who are against him.
Absalom and Achitophel:
Absalom and Achitophel is a Political Satire, satirical verse poem written in heroic couplet by the Poet Laureate of the time John Dryden in the reign of Charles II. It was published in 1681, Its second part was also published in 1682 by Nahum Tate, a friend of Dryden, in which Dryden anonymously contributed a few lines but it failed to impress the critics. In this poem Dryden has done the allegorical representation of real public figures of his time with the help of biblical characters. The poem is rooted in the contemporary time.
Satire: uses humors, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
The poem starts with a prologue ‘To a Reader’ it states that ‘the true end (objective) of satire is the amendment of vices by correction’, which can be read as a definition of the true satire. Satire is divided into three natures
Horatian Satire
Juvenalian Satire
Menippean Satire
It is said in Epilogue: “Si proprius stes; Te capiet magis” - ‘Stand closer, it will charm you more’
So if one wants to understand or enjoy this poem he/ she needs to come close to this poem because some pieces will strike better if we have a deep insight and some will strike by easy reading. ORIGINAL POEM
As we are talking about political satire, here is a video from ‘So sorry’ which is making a satire of the contemporary government on the rising price of fuels. मोदी सरकार की नई योजना है 'पुश अप करो, पुश करो'। पुश अप तो आप करते होंगे लेकिन उससे भी ज्यादा अच्छी एक्सरसाइज है गाड़ी पुश करें यानि धक्का लगाएं। इसीलिए तो सरकार ने तेल के दाम बढ़ा दिए हैं ताकि आप गाड़ी पर बैठे ना बल्कि धक्का लगाएं और फिट रहें.
MINOR CHARACTERS:
Now further we are going to read which characters among this supported David and which were against him.
CHARACTERS IN DETAIL:
Absalom-
Here we consider Absalom as an opponent as well as a supporter of King David. Absalom is an illegitimate son of King David who is allegorical representation of James Scott (Duke of Monmouth) illegitimate son of King Charles II.
'Of all this numerous progeny was none
So beautiful, so brave, as Absalom:'
David didn't have a legitimate son and among his all illegitimate Children Absalom was his most favorite child. He was brave, handsome and ambitious. Achitophel believed that The Jews (the English) were not happy in the reign of David and would accept Absalom as their kind. So Achitophel started encouraging Absalom for gaining the throne and to convince him to rebel against King David. But Absalom was not a malicious man, he didn't believe to have any of his right on the crown.
He thus repli'd.—And what pretence have I
To take up arms for public liberty?
'My Father governs with unquestion'd right;
The Faith's defender, and mankind's delight:
Good, gracious, just, observant of the laws;
And Heav'n by wonders has espous'd his cause.
Whom has he wrong'd in all his peaceful reign?
Who sues for justice to his throne in vain?
What millions has he pardon'd of his foes,
Whom just revenge did to his wrath expose?
Mild, easy, humble, studious of our good;
Inclin'd to mercy, and averse from blood.
If mildness ill with stubborn Israel suit,
His crime is God's beloved attribute.'
This stanza of the poem shows his favor towards the rule of King David and his support to the King. In this stanza, Absalom doesn’t think he has any claim to the throne. After all, David rules with “unquestioned right,” and he is a good king. David is merciful and just, and instead of making his enemies suffer and drawing blood, he pardons them. David’s only crime, Absalom says, “is God’s beloved attribute.”
Achitophel saw that Absalom was not conceived so he stepped up his flattery.
'Th'eternal God, supremely good and wise,
Imparts not these prodigious gifts in vain;
What wonders are reserv'd to bless your reign?
Against your will your arguments have shown,
Such virtue's only giv'n to guide a throne.'
Here Achitophel tries to be a king maker. He boosts the ambition and desire in Absalom to be a king. With the temptation of gaining the throne he joined Achitophel in the rebellion against King David. Absalom and Achitophel show David’s merciful and good nature as a weakness. But in the end King David lost his patience and stopped this rebellion. The temptation of Absalom by Achitophel makes Absalom an opponent of King David.
Achitophel-
Achitophel is an allegorical representation of Anthony Ashley Cooper. He was dishonest counselor of King David and an antagonist of Absalom and Achitophel. This line of the poem shows his cynicism.
'In friendship false, implacable in hate,
Resolved to ruin or to rule the state,
To compass this the Triple Bond he broke,
The pillars of the public safety shook,
And fitted Israel for a foreign yoke.
Then, seized with fear, yet still affecting fame,
Usurped a patriot’s all-atoning name.'
Achitophel was a counselor of David, he pretended to be a friend of David with evil thoughts of ruling Israel or destroying it. Achitophel to ruin king David incites anti Jebusite in the Jews and encourages Absalom to join him to rebel against King David. Achitophel hated David’s brother and didn't want him to sit on the throne. He knew that it was not an argument enough to defame King David. So Achitophel provoked Jews as he knew about Jews fear about Jebusite, and planned to bring David down inside the government. Along with, included Absalom in his rebellion against David by flattering.
Corah-
Corah in an allegorical representation of Titus Oates, the Englishman who engineered the Popish Plot. He was the most important person of Achitophel. He was a priest.
'Yet, Corah, thou shalt from oblivion pass;
Erect thyself thou monumental brass:
High as the serpent of thy metal made,
While nations stand secure beneath thy shade.'
Corah was a priest but he was lying about his degree of priest (rabbinical degree). Even in contemporary times, people blindly believe in saints, people connected to religion (dharma gurus). In the same way the Jews, people of that time blindly believed what the corah said. He played an important role for Achitophel. His plotting and planning helped Achitophel to dishonor David’s brother and to please Absalom. And the Jews easily believed in a fake plot, The popish plot. (Popish Plot, (1678), in English history, a totally fictitious but widely believed plot in which it was alleged that Jebusites were planning the assassination of King Charles II in order to bring his Roman Catholic brother, the Duke of York (afterward King James II), to the throne.)
Shimei-
Shimei is an allegorical representation of Slingsby Bethel the sheriff of London and a member of Parliament, who also supported the Exclusion Bill.
'Shimei, whose youth did early promise bring
Of zeal to God, and hatred to his king;
Did wisely from expensive sins refrain,
And never broke the Sabbath, but for gain:
Nor ever was he known an oath to vent,
Or curse, unless against the government.'
Shimei was a treason and a dishonest crook, he used to steal all the benefits of the Jews. But still Jews selected him as the magistrate. Shimei unanimously (fully in agreement) all the juries to punish David’s supporters and to support all his enemies. As a magistrate, a part of parliament he played a role in bringing down the fame of King David
Zimri-
Zimri is an allegorical representation of George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham, an English statesman and poet.
'In the first rank of these did Zimri stand:
A man so various, that he seem'd to be
Not one, but all Mankind's Epitome.'
According to Dryden, Zimri was a ‘Buffon’ - a man who is a ridiculous but amusing person. ‘A man so various’ this phrase meant that he followed many different professions. He was among the Achitophel men; he also played an active role in the Popish plot.
Jonas-
Jonas is an allegorical representation of Sir William Jones, a member of Parliament.
'Not bull-faced Jonas, who could statutes draw
To mean rebellion, and make treason law.'
Jonas was a member of parliament, he was a great powerful man so he could easily operate all the laws. Jonas accused Catholics, supporters of King David in a popish plot and supported the exclusion bill. In the accusation, Michal, wife of King David, was also accused.
Nadab-
Nadab is an allegorical representation of William, Lord Howard Esrick.
'And canting Nadab let oblivion damn,
Who made new porridge for the Paschal Lamb.'
He is one of the minor characters in the poem and one of Achitophel’s men. He represents William, Lord Howard Esrick, a Puritan preacher who supported the Exclusion Bill. The word “porridge” was used to describe the Book of Common Prayer by those who refused to conform to the Act of Uniformity, which implies that Achitophel and his men are nonconformists and working against the government instead of for it.
Caleb and Balaam-
Caleb is an allegorical representation of Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex and Balaam is representation of Theophilus Hastings, a Member of Parliament.
'And, therefore in the name of dullness, be
The well-hung Balaam and cold Caleb free.'
Caleb and Balaam are the minor characters in the poem. Calem was the prominent advocate on the exclusion bill. Balaam was a proponent of the exclusion bill.
Barzillai-
Barzillai is an allegorical representation of James Butler,1st Duke of Ormond.
'In this short file Barzillai first appears;
Barzillai crown'd with honour and with years:
Long since, the rising rebels he withstood'
As the plan of Achitophel everyone was becoming against King David. There were very few who were supporting and trusting King David, they were his friends which were loyal and trusted. Barzillai was among them. He was in exile with King David after the death of Saul.
Jotham-
Jotham is an allegorical representation of Jotham as the king of Judah and the grandson of Zadoc.
'Jotham of piercing wit and pregnant thought,
Endow'd by Nature, and by learning taught
To move assemblies, who but only tri'd
The worse awhile, then chose the better side;
Nor chose alone, but turn'd the balance too;
So much the weight of one brave man can do.'
.
Jotham was one of David's trusted and loyal friends and supporters. George Savile, the nephew of the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, the man allegorized in the character Achitophel. Jotham is credited for his active contribution in defeating the exclusion bill in parliament.
Amiel-
Amiel is an allegorical representation of Edward Seymour, the speaker of the House of Commons in Parliament.
'For Amiel, who can Amiel's praise refuse?
Of ancient race by birth, but nobler yet
In his own worth, and without title great:
The Sanhedrin long time as chief he rul'd,
Their reason guided, and their passion cool'd;
So dext'rous was he in the crown's defence,
So form'd to speak a loyal nation's sense,
That as their band was Israel's tribes in small,
So fit was he to represent them all.'
Amiel was among trusted and loyal men of David. He was a significant member of the Sanhedrin (English Parliament). He helped to end the uprising against David in the parliament and was a great opponent of the exclusion bill.
The Pharaoh-
Pharaoh is an allegorical representation of Louis XIV of France.
'Naked of friends and round beset with foes?
If Pharaoh's doubtful succour he should use,
A foreign aid would more incense the Jews:
Proud Egypt would dissembled friendship bring;'
The pharaoh pretended to be a friend of King David but in reality he was planning to destroy King David and the Jews. The Pharaoh represented Louis XIV of France which meant he was a Catholics and it worked as a proof that Charles was also a Catholic like his brother James and was trying to force the protestant to follow Catholic religion. Here we are placing Pharaoh as a supporter and opponent both as in the eyes of people he was a supporter and with his reference David was considered Catholic but in reality he was with an idea of exploiting David’s rule.
Hushai-
Hushai is an allegorical representation of Lawrence Hyde, Earl of Rochester
'Hushai, the friend of David in distress,
In public storms of manly steadfastness;
By foreign treaties he inform'd his youth;
And join'd experience to his native truth.'
Hushai is a minor character in the poem but he is among the loyal and trusted men of King David. He played an important role in parliament standing against the exclusion bill. And according to the Bible’s reference he agreed to spy on Absalom during his rebellion against King David under the influence of Achitophel..
Zadoc, Adriel & Sagan of Jerusalem-
Zadoc is an allegorical representation of William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury. Adriel represented John Sheffield, 3rd Earl of Mulgrave and Sagan of Jerusalem represented Henry Compton, Bishop of London.
'Zadoc the priest whom, shunning, pow'r and place,
His lowly mind advanc'd to David's grace:
With him the Sagan of Jerusalem,
Of hospitable soul and noble stem;
Him of the western dome, whose weighty sense
Flows in fit words and heavenly eloquence.'
'Next them a train of loyal peers ascend:
Sharp judging Adriel, the Muse's friend,
Himself a Muse:—in Sanhedrin's debate
True to his prince; but not a slave of state.'
Zadoc, Adriel and Sagan of Jerusalem are the minor characters in the poem and the loyal and trusted men of King David. Ariel very keenly opposed the succession of Absalom and voted for James II. All three didn't play a great role but were unconditional supporters of King David.
I hope my this blog might be helpful to you to understand the supporters and opponents easily. If you find any changes or queries post in a comment box. Thanks for visiting.
