Important Long Questions and answer on An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot ,Important Long Questions and answer from An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot ,Important Long Questions and answer of An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot
Q1. Discuss "An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot" as a satire.
Alexander Pope’s An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot (1735) is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of satirical verse in the English language. Written as a defense of his own life and art, the poem transcends mere autobiography to become a blistering critique of the literary and social corruption of the 18th century. It operates as a satire on three distinct levels: personal, literary, and moral.
Pope follows the Horatian mode of satire in the beginning, adopting a conversational, urbane, and witty tone, but frequently shifts to the Juvenalian mode—bitter, biting, and angry—when attacking his fiercest enemies. The poem is not just an attack; it is a "Bill of Complaint" against the bad poets, false critics, and hypocritical patrons who plagued the Augustan age.
The poem opens with a humorous yet exasperated account of the "mob of gentlemen who wrote with ease." Pope satirizes the commercialization of literature, where poetry has become a mania. He mocks the scribblers who besiege his house, seeking patronage or praise.
They rave, recite, and madden round the land."
Here, Pope satirizes the desperation of Grub Street hacks who equate writing not with art, but with survival or vanity. He exposes the pretentiousness of mediocre poets who force their "virgin tragedy" upon him.
The core of the satire lies in its character sketches. Pope turns individual enemies into universal types of vice.
Atticus (Addison): Represents the jealousy of the established literary elite. It is a satire on hypocrisy—the friend who smiles while holding a dagger.
Sporus (Lord Hervey): Represents the corruption of the court. It is a satire on malignity and emptiness. Through Sporus, Pope attacks the effeminacy and moral bankruptcy of the aristocracy.
Pope defends satire as a necessary tool for social order. When the law fails to punish vice, satire steps in. He argues that he does not write out of malice, but out of a duty to Truth and Virtue. He claims his pen is:
Sole dread of folly, vice, and insolence!"
Q2. Analyze the character sketch of 'Atticus' (Joseph Addison).
The portrait of Atticus (representing Joseph Addison) in An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot is considered one of the most brilliant pieces of psychological satire in English literature. Unlike the portrait of Sporus, which is an attack on a "monster," the portrait of Atticus is a subtle, melancholy analysis of a great man flawed by envy and cowardice.
Joseph Addison was a literary giant of the age, respected for his intellect and grace. However, Pope felt that Addison was jealous of Pope’s rising fame (specifically his translation of the Iliad). Pope uses the name "Atticus" (a Roman scholar) to acknowledge Addison’s genius while exposing his moral weakness.
Pope begins by acknowledging Addison’s genuine talent. He describes him as a "genius," capable of "true merit." This makes the satire more effective; Pope is not attacking a fool, but a man who should have been above petty jealousy. The tragedy of Atticus is that he is too great to be a simple enemy, but too jealous to be a true friend.
The central theme of the sketch is hypocrisy. Atticus does not openly attack; he undermines. Pope masterfully uses oxymorons and antithesis to describe this passive-aggressive behavior:
Just hint a fault, and hesitate dislike."
Atticus is portrayed as a man who values his reputation too much to fight openly. Instead, he whispers in corners, sneers politely, and encourages others to attack while he remains clean. He "damns with faint praise"—meaning he offers a small compliment only to pave the way for a larger criticism.
Pope depicts Atticus as a literary dictator who surrounds himself with "templars" and flatterers. He sits in his "little senate" giving laws to his followers. This reveals Addison’s vanity; he cannot bear a rival near his throne ("bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne").
Q3. Critically evaluate the character sketch of 'Sporus' (Lord Hervey).
If the portrait of Atticus is a subtle psychological study, the portrait of Sporus (Lord Hervey) is a piece of total annihilation. It is one of the most vicious, venomous, and grotesque attacks in literary history. Pope abandons all politeness to destroy the character of Hervey, whom he viewed as the embodiment of everything wrong with the royal court.
From the very first line, Pope strips Sporus of his humanity. Dr. Arbuthnot tries to intervene, calling Sporus a "thing of silk," implying he is too insignificant to attack. Pope disagrees, retorting that even a bug must be crushed. The imagery used is consistently non-human and filthy:
- He is a "bug with gilded wings."
- He is a "toad" spitting venom.
- He is a "spaniel" fawning over his master.
The most biting part of the satire targets Hervey’s effeminacy and bisexuality. Pope famously describes him as an "Amphibious thing," neither male nor female, acting as "now Master up, now Miss." This suggests a lack of substance and identity. Sporus is portrayed as unnatural, fluid, and essentially empty.
Pope uses a series of sharp antitheses to show Sporus's inherent duplicity. He is a bundle of contradictions:
This line suggests that Sporus uses his intelligence only to manipulate and grovel. He has no dignity; his pride is subservient. He is Satanic in his methods—just as Satan whispered in Eve’s ear as a toad, Sporus whispers lies into the ear of Queen Caroline ("at the ear of Eve").
The climax of the description calls him "this painted child of dirt, that stinks and stings." The "paint" refers to the cosmetics Hervey wore, covering the "dirt" of his soul. He is beautiful on the outside but rotten on the inside.
Q4. How does Pope defend his own character and career in this epistle?
While An Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot is famous for its attacks on others, its primary purpose is apology—a defense of Pope’s own life, character, and poetic vocation. Pope constructs a persona of himself as the "Virtuous Man" standing alone against a corrupt world.
Pope begins by claiming that he was born a poet. It was a natural gift, not a calculated career choice. He says:
He emphasizes that he did not write for money or fame initially, but because his friends (the great writers like Swift and Gay) encouraged him. By listing these friends, he aligns himself with the greatest minds of his age, validating his career.
A major theme of his defense is his financial and social independence. Pope proudly claims that he never flattered kings or rich patrons for money. He "maintained a poet's dignity and ease." He portrays himself as a man who can sleep soundly because he owes nothing to anyone.
He asserts that his poetry is a moral weapon. He attacks only those who deserve it. He claims:
To help me through this long disease, my life."
To counter the charges that he is a monster, Pope presents himself as a loving son. In the touching conclusion of the poem, he describes his tender care for his aging, dying mother. He asks for nothing but to "rock the cradle of reposing age." This humanizes Pope, showing that the man who can be cruel to Sporus is gentle to his parents.
Pope acknowledges his physical deformity ("this long disease, my life") but uses it to show his mental fortitude. He suggests that while his body is weak, his spirit and moral compass are strong. He is not afraid of the powerful men he attacks because he has the truth on his side.
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