Comment on Augustan verse satire as humorous depiction of the follies of people and the contemporary society.

Historical and Literary Context

The early 18th century in England was a period of significant social and political change. The rise of a mercantile class, increasing urbanization, and political instability created a fertile ground for satire. The Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the subsequent political maneuvering provided ample material for satirists. The literary landscape was dominated by a desire to emulate classical models, particularly Horace and Juvenal, whose satirical works served as inspiration.

Characteristics of Augustan Verse Satire

Augustan verse satire differed from earlier forms in its emphasis on wit, elegance, and a more restrained tone. While earlier satire often employed broad, exaggerated attacks, Augustan satire favored a more subtle and ironic approach. Key characteristics include:

• Reason and Order: Satire was often presented as a rational critique, appealing to the reader’s sense of reason.
• Wit and Irony: These were central to the satirical effect, allowing writers to convey criticism indirectly.
• Social Commentary: Satire focused on the manners, morals, and pretensions of the upper classes and the emerging middle class.
• Formal Verse Structure: The heroic couplet (rhyming pairs of iambic pentameter lines) was the dominant verse form, lending a sense of formality and control.

Key Authors and Examples

Alexander Pope

Alexander Pope is arguably the most important Augustan satirist. His The Rape of the Lock (1712, revised 1714) is a masterpiece of mock-epic satire, humorously depicting a trivial social dispute – the cutting of a lock of hair – as a grand, heroic event. The poem satirizes the vanity, superficiality, and trivial pursuits of the aristocratic class. Pope’s An Essay on Criticism (1711) satirizes the literary world, offering witty observations on the failings of critics and poets alike. His Moral Essays (1731-1735) directly attack societal vices like avarice and hypocrisy.

Jonathan Swift

Jonathan Swift, though often associated with prose satire (like Gulliver’s Travels), also wrote significant verse satire. A Description of a City Shower (1710) is a humorous and vivid depiction of the unpleasant realities of urban life, satirizing the indifference of the wealthy to the suffering of the poor. Swift’s satirical poems often employ a more biting and misanthropic tone than Pope’s.

John Dryden

John Dryden, a precursor to the Augustan Age, laid the groundwork for the development of verse satire. His Mac Flecknoe (1682) is a scathing attack on the poet Thomas Shadwell, presented as a mock-heroic contest for the title of worst poet. The poem is notable for its witty and inventive use of language and its relentless ridicule of Shadwell’s poetic abilities.

Humor as a Satirical Tool

The humor in Augustan verse satire is not simply for amusement; it is integral to the satirical purpose. By making their targets appear ridiculous, satirists aimed to diminish their authority and encourage readers to question their values. Techniques employed include:

• Exaggeration: Amplifying flaws and vices to make them more absurd.
• Irony: Saying one thing while meaning another, often to expose hypocrisy.
• Parody: Imitating the style of a particular author or genre to ridicule it.
• Understatement: Downplaying the significance of something to highlight its absurdity.