Discuss the use of satire and classical references in Johnson’s poem “London”.

 Discuss the use of satire and classical references in Johnson’s poem “London”.

Samuel Johnson’s “London” is a brilliant example of Augustan satire, where the poet uses wit, irony, exaggeration, and classical references to criticize the problems of his time. The poem is modeled on the Third Satire of Juvenal, the Roman satirist, and reflects both Johnson’s classical education and his concern for moral and political values. Through satire and learned allusions, Johnson turns his poem into a moral and political protest.

The satire in “London” is aimed at politicians, the legal system, the rich, corrupt artists, and even the general moral decay of society. For example, he satirizes the way justice works in the country with the line “justice with her sword asleep”, which suggests that justice is inactive or has become blind to suffering. This is a sharp criticism of how the law protects the rich and fails to serve the poor.

Johnson also attacks poets and writers who no longer serve truth and morality. Instead of being the voice of conscience, they write to flatter and please the powerful, and in doing so, lose their dignity and independence. His satire is not only humorous but also deeply moral, seeking to correct and awaken the reader to the dangers of such behavior.

One of the most important aspects of the poem is Johnson’s use of classical references. He frequently refers to the Roman Empire, especially the fall of Rome due to internal corruption. These references help him draw a parallel between ancient Rome and contemporary London, suggesting that England, too, may face a similar decline if it does not correct its course. The poem’s entire structure is an imitation of Juvenal’s satire, where a man chooses to leave the city because it has become unbearable. Johnson’s character Thales mirrors Juvenal’s Umbricius, and this link adds literary weight and historical perspective to Johnson’s criticism.

By combining satire with classical allusion, Johnson presents “London” as more than a poem—it becomes a moral warning and a political statement. His language is elevated, his form controlled, and his tone serious. He does not merely entertain the reader but educates and warns them through refined poetic technique.

In conclusion, Johnson’s “London” shows how classical forms and modern concerns can be united through satire and moral purpose. His use of Juvenal’s model, along with clever satire, turns the poem into a timeless piece of social criticism.