Examine the factors behind the growth of political satire in the age of Dryden and Pope.

The Context of Dryden’s Satire (Restoration Period)

The Restoration period, following the austere rule of the Puritans under Cromwell, was marked by a reaction against religious and moral strictness. Charles II’s court was notorious for its extravagance and perceived immorality, providing ample material for satirists. Dryden, a key figure of this era, responded to the political turmoil of the time, including the Dutch Wars and the Popish Plot, through works like Absalom and Achitophel (1681). This poem, ostensibly a biblical allegory, was a powerful commentary on the Exclusion Crisis, criticizing the attempts to exclude James, Duke of York (later James II), from the throne.

• Political Instability: The Exclusion Crisis and the constant struggle between Whigs and Tories fueled political tensions, making satire a potent weapon for partisan attacks.
• Rise of Party Politics: The emergence of organized political parties created a demand for propaganda and counter-propaganda, with satire playing a crucial role.
• Licensing Act of 1662: While intended to control seditious publications, the Act inadvertently stimulated a clandestine market for satirical pamphlets and poems.

The Development of Satire in the Augustan Age (Pope’s Era)

The Augustan Age, named after the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus, was characterized by a desire for order, reason, and classical ideals. However, beneath the veneer of refinement, lay a society rife with social climbing, political corruption, and moral hypocrisy. Alexander Pope, the dominant literary figure of this period, perfected the art of satire, employing wit, irony, and mock-heroic techniques to expose the vices of his contemporaries.

Key Factors Contributing to Satire’s Growth

• Growth of Print Culture: The expansion of the printing industry and the rise of coffee houses created a wider reading public, increasing the demand for satirical works. Newspapers and periodicals like The Tatler and The Spectator (early 18th century) also contributed to the dissemination of satirical ideas.
• Social Mobility and Ambition: The increasing opportunities for social advancement led to a culture of ambition and competition, which satirists readily mocked. Pope’s The Rape of the Lock (1712) satirizes the trivial concerns and social pretensions of the upper class.
• Decline of Royal Authority: The diminished power of the monarchy after the Glorious Revolution allowed for greater freedom of expression, although libel laws still posed a threat.
• Influence of Classical Models: Writers like Dryden and Pope drew inspiration from classical satirists like Horace and Juvenal, adapting their techniques to the English context. Horace’s gentle, witty satire influenced Pope’s early works, while Juvenal’s more biting and indignant style is evident in his later poems.

The Evolving Nature of Satire

Satire evolved from the more overtly political focus of Dryden’s work to the more nuanced and socially critical satire of Pope. Dryden often engaged in direct political commentary, while Pope tended to focus on the follies of human nature and the absurdities of social life. Pope’s use of mock-heroic, as seen in The Dunciad (1743), elevated trivial subjects to epic proportions, highlighting their ridiculousness. Furthermore, the development of a more sophisticated literary market allowed satirists to reach a wider audience and exert a greater influence on public opinion.

Feature	Dryden’s Satire	Pope’s Satire
Focus	Primarily political and religious	Social, moral, and literary
Style	Direct, often polemical	Witty, ironic, mock-heroic
Examples	Absalom and Achitophel	The Rape of the Lock, The Dunciad