Why The Rape of the Lock Is Called a Mock-Heroic Poem?

Why The Rape of the Lock Is Called a Mock-Heroic Poem?

Why is “The Rape of the Lock” called Mock-Heroic poem?

Answer: Mock Epic or Mock-Heroic Poem is an important poetic genre of English literature. In this genre, the serious and grand style of Epic Poetry is used for any small, simple or humorous subject. Its main objective is to expose the artificial seriousness and false pride of the society through Satire in English Literature. Alexander Pope's famous work “The Rape of the Lock” is considered the Best Mock Epic Poem in English Literature.

In this poem, Pope has presented a small social incident through Epic Style, Supernatural Machinery, and Elevated Language and has proved that Mock Epic poetry is an effective literary medium to satirize the society.

Alexander Pope's famous poem “The Rape of the Lock” is called a Mock-Heroic poem. The reason for this is that in this poem the poet has presented a very small and simple incident in the style of epic. It has heroic elements, gods, war, and use of serious language, but the subject matter is very light and humorous. Because of this contradiction it is called Mock-Heroic.

First of all we should understand what Mock-Heroic means. Mock means mockery or satire, and Heroic means heroic or epic. That is, Mock-Heroic poetry is one in which the serious style of the epic is used for a humorous subject. Pope has used this technique very beautifully.

The story of the poem is very simple. In this, a young Baron cuts a lock of hair of a young girl, Belinda. This incident is very small in real life, but the poet presents it as if a great war had taken place. This is the mock-heroic feature of this poem.

Like the epic, the poem begins with Invocation. The Pope prays to the Goddess to give him the strength to tell this story. Usually invocations are for big and serious subjects, but here the subject is just a strand of hair. This difference makes the reader experience humor.

Supernatural beings i.e. supernatural powers have also been used in this poem. Characters like Sylphs, Gnomes, Nymphs act like the gods of the epic. But these gods do not protect war or fortune, but fashion, beauty and love. This is also an example of the Mock-Heroic genre.

Belinda is shown as a great heroine in the poem. Her beauty has been described in very grand language. Her adornments have been described as weapons. Its comb looks like a sword and the mirror looks like a shield. This comparison is very serious, but the purpose is to create humor.

There is also a battle scene in the poem. But this war is not fought with swords, but with cards and eyes. The card game is depicted as a war. This scene mocks the epic tradition and shows the hollow seriousness of the society.

The language and style is also completely epic. The Pope has used high and serious language. But when the same language is used for a minor incident, sarcasm and humor arise. This is the soul of Mock-Heroic.

Through this poem Pope has satirized the upper class society of the 18th century. In that society people used to make small things into big things. Respect, beauty and fashion were given more importance than necessary. Pope has exposed his thinking through this poem.

In the end we can say that “The Rape of the Lock” is called Mock-Heroic because a small subject has been shown in a big way. All the characteristics of the epic are present, but they have been used for fun and satire. This is why this poem is considered the best example of Mock-Heroic poem.

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