Absalom and Achitophel Literary Elements

"Absalom and Achitophel" features third-person narration from an omniscient narrator. This enables the poet to skilfully explore the progression of humanity over time and to consider universal themes such as morality and humanity, making sweeping statements about human nature. It also allows the poet to focus in detail on the distinct characters.

The poem is composed in iambic pentameter, where there are five iambs (an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable) per line. "Absalom and Achitophel" is written in heroic couplet – iambic pentameter where pairs of lines form a rhyme. There is an AABB rhyming scheme, such as “begin”/ “sin” and “kind”/ “confined” (lines 1 – 4).

Metaphor:
1. "Achitophel had form'd it, with intent / To sound the depths, and fathom where it went" (741-42): this metaphor uses sounding devices for deep water to show how Achitophel is trying to take the measure of the people's discontent against David.
2. "The sober part of Israel, free from stain, / Well knew the value of a peaceful reign; / And, looking backward with a wise affright, / Saw seams of wounds dishonest to the sight; / In contemplation of whose ugly scars, / They curst the memory of civil wars" (69-74): uses the metaphor of wounds and scars to explain how affected the people are by the memory of war.

Simile:
1. Describing David’s descent – “But, like the Prince of Angels from his height, comes tumbling downward with diminish'd light” – which compares the character to a fallen angel to emphasise his metaphorical fall from grace.
2. "And like a lion, slumb'ring in the way, / Or sleep-dissembling, while he waits his prey" (446-447): Achitophel compares David's brother to a lion merely pretending it is asleep so it can surprise its prey in order to convince Absalom that he must try for the throne.
3. David refers to his petitioners as "unsatiate as the barren womb or grave" (987).

Assonance: "promiscuous use of concubine” (6); "heaps of people which one sheaf did bind" (276); "dissembled friendship" (283).

Alliteration: "pamper'd people" (47); "providently pimps" (81); "Not weigh'd, or winnow/d" (112); "several factions from this first ferment" (140); "his fearless foes within his distance draws" (448).

These give the poem a sense of grandeur which is fitting for its biblical overtones and evokes the conventions of epic meter. They also highlight Dryden’s skillful use of language and word choice.

David states, "My pious subjects for my safety pray, / Which to secure they take my pow'r away" (983-84).

The poem is predominantly a political satire that explores the conflict between Catholics and Protestants during the rule of King Charles. It also shares many features with Religious Poetry due to its biblical allusions.

The poem is set in King David's Israel, but it is meant to be a commentary on England in the seventeenth century.

The tone is predominantly serious and philosophical as it explores grim aspects of human nature, such as hypocrisy, vengeance, and rebellion.

Achitophel is the antagonist who acts against King David. Absalom is the protagonist; Achitophel attempts to persuade him to usurp David. In this poem, Achitophel represents the first Earl of Shaftesbury and Absalom represents King Charles' son.

The main conflict comes from Achitophel tempting Absalom to overthrow David. Achitophel claims that King David is weak in his old age, that Absalom would be a mighty ruler, and that even David would be happy to see Absalom on the throne.

The climax of the poem marks a shift in Absaloms’ resolve. As a result of Achitophel’s persuasive speeches, Absalom stops defending David. Absalom becomes angry at his parents for conceiving him outside marriage: as an illegitimate child, he cannot be heir to the throne. Absalom considers this a great injustice and is strongly tempted to turn against David.

The opening of the poem foreshadows the philosophical tone and preoccupations of the poem. The widespread scope of vices such as envy and greed is foreshadowed in the opening stanza: “When man, on many, multipli'd his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly confin'd: when Nature prompted.” The references to curses and sin in lines 1-4 also introduce the religious theme central to the poem. The initial description of Absalom “inspired by some diviner lust” also foreshadows the temptation he faces.

N/A.

The poem is filled with biblical allusions. The story of Absalom and Achitophel is inspired by the account in 2 Samuel, influencing the events and themes of the poem. The main characters also share names with biblical characters, such as Corah (who rebelled against Moses) and Barzillai (who assisted King David). There are allusions to Pharaoh, Egypt, Jonah (Jonas), Saul, Bathsheba, Moses, Agag, Samuel, Jacob, Esau, Adam, Noah, Sampson, and many more.

Synecdoche is used extensively throughout the poem to refer to kingship as “the crown” or “the throne”. This can be seen when Achitophel persuades Absalom to usurp David: “Commit a pleasing rape upon the crown. Secure his person to secure your cause.” Here, the crown represents David. It is a fitting description as it alludes to his royal power, the central source of conflict in the poem.

1. Nature and Law are personified towards the beginning of the poem: "When Nature prompted, and no Law deni'd promiscuous use of concubine and bride." These two abstract forces continue to play a large role throughout the poem, governing human thought and action. There is conflict between human nature and desires and restrictive laws.
2. Fortune is also personified: "Our fortune rolls as from a smooth descent, / And from the first impression takes the bent; / But, if unseized, she glides away like wind, / And leaves repenting folly far behind" (256-259)

N/A.

The line "By buzzing emissaries, fills the ears of list'ning crowds, with jealousies and fears" (210) combines onomatopoeia (buzz), rhyme, and assonance to create the strong tonal quality of the poem.