– Harshidha Hareesh
Alexander pope
Alexander pope (1688-1744)is regarded as one of the greatest English poets,and foremost poet of 18th century. He is the best known for his satirical and discursive poetry. He was a precocious child with a strong penchant for learning. Being a catholic in Protestant England placed restrictions on his formal education. His sharp,violent satire earned him the epithet the ‘WASP OF TWICKENHAM’.
He is best known for his satirical and discursive poetry -including THE RAPE OF LOCK ,THE DUNCIAD, and AN ESSAY ON CRITICISM as well as for his translation of HOMES . After SHAKESPEARE, Pope is the second-most quoted writer in the English language,as per THE OXFORD DICTIONARY of QUOTATIONS. SOME of his verses having even became popular idioms in common parlance . He is considered as master of the HEROIC COUPLET.
In 1717 , he published his collection of poems include his romantic poem ELOSIA TO ABELARD.
Heroic couplet
A heroic couplet is a traditional form for English poetry commonly used in Epic and Narrative poetry,and consisting of a rhyming pair of lines in iambic pentameter.
About the poem
Essay on Man describes the order of the universe in the terms of a hierarchy. The poet compares god to various creatures . The man is imperfect but perfectly sutled to his place within hierarchy of creation according to the general order of things. Enlightenment is the main theme . Poet was influenced by philosophers such as Sir Issac Newton. This poem marked a change in the way of thinking.
Now, about the style, pope used iambic pentameter in ESSAY OF MAN . Each line consist of 5 beats and 10 syllabe.
Summary
Stanza1
Over confident man can never find themselves, because they are greedy . They can see the whole world, hear it and can live without difficulties but still they all think that they are so weak and not so powerful like others . The reason why we are born in this world is someone wants you to be . The first two lines are Rhetorical question,next two lines are its answers. It says that man is in his rightful rank in creation and should not question his abilities or talent . Poet asks us to ask mother nature why Oak gives shades to weeds . This is because Oaks are larger than weeds ,why can’t they think that they are larger why should they give shades to smaller creatures. Likewise,poet also gives example of JOVE ( Jupiter) . Poet is trying to say that why are we humans so greedy . If you look at the nature we can find solutions to all our problem.
Stanza2
We people have our own mistakes but still we complain to the God ,as if he is creating mistakes. God’s wisdom is infinite. If a person’s wisdom is powerful it will be consistent. Poet says that we people rise to level according to will but still we people wish for more. And argue that God have placed us wrong.
Stanza3
Respecting eachother is not at all a bad thing . But still we don’t do that . Humans work harder to achieve their goals. To achieve a thing we do thousands attempts but that is not less. Poet warns that God’s single movement can end everything but he will not do that , he gives us a second chance. Everything we do is connected to something else and is part of a plan . We haven’t yet achieved our goal but we have a part of it.
Stanza4
The proud war horse does not know why it has been ridden over the plains . Ox breaks the clod in the field is now a dirty . In this stanza poet brings out the symbolism. Like horse and bull they are powerful but still we control them . Humans have passion , actions, everything, they are suffering,why are they serving as slave.
Stanza5
Only humans have knowledge in the hierarchy and have their own space . Humans are imperfect. God has made us prefect . Poet also notes that world has its own sequence, in this sequence we humans are the most perfect one.
In conclusion, first epistle looks at the man’s relation to the universe in order to present the concept of harmony.
By Harshidha Hareesh
Stanza2
Littérateurs 