Eighteenth-Century English Social Satiric Poetry

Abstract

This research is a critical analysis of the major satirical poetry of the leading satirists of Eighteenth-century England: Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Johnson and JohnGay. The analytical descriptive method is used to carry out this research. The aim of this research is to point out how satire is employed to fight bad habits and behavior of the society of Eighteenth-century England. The major poems of the above mentioned poets have been duly studied and analyzed. The study sheds light on Eighteenth-century England as a remarkable period in the history of English Literature. Some of the artistic activities in some aspects of arts together with the role played by politicians have been mentioned. The definitions of satire are provided and its role in reflecting human and social relations is underlined, in addition to the role of satirists in creating a healthy society. The research is considered as an important one as it attempts to deal with the social satires of a number of satirists. Some of the poetical theories and critical points of views have been expounded, with special reference to the relevant studies. Some examples of religious, Social and journalist satires, along with a poem related to Graveyard School of Satire are treated. Biographies of Pope, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Johnson and John Gay are focused on together with the environmental factors that influenced their lives and poems. Some of their poems have been elaborately discussed. The major satiric poems of Alexander Pope such as "The Rape of the Lock", "The Dunciad" and "An Essay on Criticism" have been elaborately studied. Swift's "The Lady's Dressing Room", "A Beautiful Young Nymph Going to Bed", Johnson's ""Vanity of Human Wishes" and Gay's "The Beggar's Opera" are discussed.