Absalom and Achitophel

 Absalom and Achitophel

Absalom and Achitophel  is a celebrated satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic couplets and  first published in 1681.  The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of Absalom against king David; In this context it is an allegory  used to represent a story contemporary to Dryden,  concerning  king Charles 2 and the Exclusion crisis.   The poem also references the popish plot and the Monmouth Rebellion.  

"Absalom and Achitophel " includes more than 1, 000 poems.  For all that , the poem is not finished: the second part was written by Nahum Tate, with Dryden himself written no more than a few poems. These poems allegorically  depict the political struggle in England at that time. For example, the Biblical legend of the rebellious son of king David  serves as an allegory for the history  of the struggle of the whigs, led by lord sheftsberri against  the so - called "catholic conspiracy." 

 

Character of Absalom and Achitophel 

Absalom 

David's illegitimate son and the protagonist of the "Absalom and Achitophel." David does not have any legitimate heirs to the throne, but Absalom is his favorite child. Absalom is handsome and ambitious, and he has made himself a hero at war.  The people of Israel love Absalom almost as much as David does, and Achitophel believe that the Jews would accept Absalom as their king.Achitophel begins to encourage Absalom and herald his birth and blood as royal, and he tries to convince Absalom to rebel against David. Absalom, however, is not a malicious man, and he doesn't initially believe he has a right to the crown,  but he is eventually worn down by Achitophel flattery and his own growing desire for more power.  Absalom agrees to rebel against David, and as he travels lsrael in a procession with Achitophel, Absalom  conforms to Achitophel deceitful ways. Absalom and Achitophel mistakes David's mercy and good nature for weakness, but David soon loses patience with both Absalom and Achitophel.  David asserts his power as king before the people of lsrael and effectively  shuts down Absalom rebellion, but Dryden never does say what become of Absalom.  Absalom metaphysically  represents Charles 2 illegitimate son James Scott,   the 1st Duke of Monmouth, who rebelled against Charles and the throne in Dryden time.  Through the character of Absalom,  Dryden ultimately  argues that Charles and his brother James both have a divine right to the crown that is not expected to Monmouth.   Dryden  depiction of Absalom implies that Dryden does not think Monmouth a wholly terrible person, but  someone who is merely tempted and blinded by power; however, Dryden also suggests that Monmouth common birth automatically excludes him from ascending the throne.   Dryden argued through  Absalom that Monmouth play to power, specifically his attempt to seize a position of power that rightfully belongs to another, is a sin against God. Dryden   doesn't  entirely  denounce Absalom ambition, but  he does argue that usurping the  throne is completely unethical. 

Achitophel 

A deceitful  counselor to king David and the antagonist of "Absalom and Achitophel." Of all the man  who oppose David within the government, Achitophel is the most influential.  He is smart, ambitious, and morally flexible.  He pretends to be David's friend, but in actuality, he either wants to rule lsrael or completely destroy it. Achitophel stokes the " malcontents " of the Jews and incites anti -Jerusite hysteria in an attempt to ruin David, and then he encourages David son Absalom to rebel against him.  Absalom  hates David's brother, the Heir presumptive, and  he wants to make sure that he never ascends the throne.  Achitophel begins his plan to ruin David  by claiming David is a Jerusite, and his approach proves very  effective.  As Achitophel works on Absalom, Achitophel trusted men wreak havoc with the Sandestin and try to  bring David down from inside the government. Achitophel finally convinces Absalom to rebel, and they embark on  a procession through Israel to further  ingratiate  Absalom with the people and identify enemies to their cause.  However, Achitophel has mistaken David mercy and mild temper for signs of weakness, and when David finally loses his patience, Achitophel is reminded of David divine power.  Dryden's Achitophel represents Anthony Ashley Cooper, the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, a Member of parliament during Dryden  time and the main supporters of the Exclusion Bill. What comes of Achitophel is never revealed in Dryden's poem, but historically speaking, shaftesbury was tried for treason after encouraging Charles son the Duke of Monmouth, to rebel against the crown, but he was  later acquitted.  Through Achitophel, Dryden suggests that Charles and James both have just claims to the throne and is not for shaftesbury, Monmouth, or parliament to infringe on that power. 

David

The third king of lsrael.  David is a merciful  and  kind king who does not have a male heir to inherit the throne.  As such, the crown will ascend down a "collateral line" after David death to his brother. As he has many mistresses, David also gas several illegitimate sons, but he loves Absalom the most, and the people of lsrael likewise love Absalom and herald him as a national hero.  Dryden David is an allegory for king Charles 2 of England, and like David,  Dryden argued that  Charles has a divine right to the throne, which Charles son, the Duke of Monmouth tried to  usurp in Dryden time.  Dryden was an ardent supporter of the monarchy and Charles 2,  and his portrayal of  David in "Absalom and Achitophel " reflects this support, but he does not depict David as perfect.  

Minor character 

Balaam 

One of Achitophel men. Balaam is a prophet in the Bible, and in "Absalom and Achitophel " he represents Theophilus Hastings, a Member of parliament and proponents of the Exclusion Bill.

Caleb 

One of Achitophel men. Caleb is a spy in the Bible, and in Dryden poem he represents Arthur  Capel, Earl of Essex, a Prominent advocate of the Exclusion Bill.

Nadab 

One of Achitophel men. In the Bible, Nadab disobey God and is consumed by fire. In "Absalom and Achitophel," he represents William, lord   Howard Esrick, a puritan  preacher who supports the Exclusion Bill.

Zadock 

One of David Trusted men. According to the Bible, zadock is the High priest of lsrael, and in Dryden poem he represents  William  sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury, a supported of Charles 2.

Adriel 

Another of David trusted men. In the Bible, Adrian is a nobleman in lsrael and another of Barzillais sins. In "Absalom and Achitophel " Adrian most likely represents John shuffled, 3rd Earl of Musgrave, who opposed Monmouth  succession to the crown and supported James 2.

Michal /David wife

The queen of lsrael.  Michal is also the daughter of Saul, and she and David have no children.  She represents Charles 2nd wife, Catherine of Braganza ; like David and Michal, Charles and Catherine did not have children  

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