#06 NancyMr. de Groof

ALEXANDER POPE’S “ESSAY ON MAN”

ALEXANDER POPE

18TH century English poetessayist, critic, and satirist Influenced by EnlightenmentPublished Ode to Solitude when he was 121712, The Rape of the Lock1713, translated Homer’s Iliad

LIFE OF ALEXANDER POPE

Published between 1732-1734Shortened version (not capable to complete the

longer version)Purpose: justifyContains 4 epistlesThe world is perfect production by God

“AN ESSAY ON MAN”

Relationship between man and the universeHarmonyHuman cannot understand everythingHuman are God’s perfect creation “Let us (since Life can little more supply Than just to look about us and to die)

Expatiate free o'er all this scene of Man”

1ST EPISTLE

Human can achieve harmony by themselves “Presumptuous Man! the reason wouldst thou fi nd, Why form'd so weak, so little, and so blind! “

Human can never understand God “Respecting Man, whatever wrong we call, Nay, must be right, as relative to all. “

Emphasizes on self-loved and reason Self-loved: short-term Reason: long-term“Ruling passion” Explain why people have distinct behavior

2ND EPISTLE

Relationship between individual and societyHarmony between society and natural worldEveryone is part of the universe “Heav'n from all creatures hides the book of Fate, All but the page prescrib'd, their present state”

The world is constructed by those tiny pieces

3RD EPISTLE

People are able to spread their love to the worldEmphasizes the importance of happinessUnderstanding the virtue and living in a balanced lifePeople will not try to criticize or judge othersSatisfied with their God-given position “Ask for what end the heav'nly bodies shine, Earth for whose use? Pride answers, "Tis for mine”

4TH EPISTLE

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION!