Absalom and Achitophel by John Drden

Thinking activity

Absalom and Achitophel by John Dryden

This blog is a response to thinking activity of Absalom and Achitophel assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad Sir, the Department of English, MKBU. In this blog I am going to present comment upon the beginning of the Poem.

Introduction:

Absalom and Achitophel, Verse Satire by English Poet, John Dryden Published in 1681.Written in Heroic Couplets.

Here I  have presented comment  on the begging of the first ten lines from the original Poem Absalom and Achitophel:

In pious times, ere priest-craft did begin, Before polygamy was made a sin; When man, on many, multipli'd his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd: When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd Promiscuous use of concubine and bride; Then, Israel's monarch, after Heaven's own heart, His vigorous warmth did variously impart To wives and slaves: and, wide as his command, Scatter'd his Maker's image through the land.

These lines are from a poem that appears to reflect on a time in the past when societal and moral norms were different from what they are today. Let's comment on the various aspects of the poem:

1. Pious Times and Priest-Craft:

 The poem starts by referring to a period of "pious times," suggesting a more devout or religious era. However, it also mentions "priest-craft," which can be interpreted as the rise of religious authorities and their influence on moral codes.

2. Polygamy:

 The poem highlights that in these earlier times, polygamy (the practice of having multiple spouses) was not considered sinful or morally wrong. This contrasts with later periods when monogamy became the norm in many cultures.

3. Multiplication of Offspring: 

The poem suggests that during this era, people had multiple partners and, as a result, had many children, which contributed to the growth of the population.

4. Monogamy as a Curse:

 It mentions that the transition from multiple partners to monogamy was seen as a curse ("cursedly confin'd"). This might imply that some individuals or societies resisted the shift to monogamy.

5. Natural Desires and No Legal Restrictions:

 The poem underscores that people followed their natural desires, and there were no laws or societal norms restricting the promiscuous use of concubines (secondary wives) and regular wives.

6. Reference to Israel's Monarch: 

The poem then turns to a specific historical figure, likely King David from the Bible, who is described as "after Heaven's own heart." King David is known in the Bible for having multiple wives and concubines.

7. Prolific Offspring:

 The poem emphasizes that this king had numerous wives and slaves, and his authority extended widely. His numerous relationships resulted in many descendants who were considered to bear the image of God throughout the land.

Conclusion:

Overall, these lines seem to reflect on a historical period when sexual and marital practices were different from contemporary norms. The poem may be commenting on the evolution of societal norms, particularly regarding marriage and monogamy, as well as the influence of religious authorities in shaping these norms over time. It also highlights the idea of a powerful and prolific king in ancient Israel who had many relationships and offspring.

And to understand more in a better way you can watch the videoes of  the poem given below:

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