Rape of the Lock and A Key to the Lock

Lord Petre cut off a lock of Lady Arabella Fermors hair, leading to a war between two noble families. Alexander Pope was asked to write a poem about it to make a joke, but the result concealed darker undertones that unleashed a greater storm. The Rape of the Lock is a satirical poem that includes the original two-canto version and Popes mock-interpretation.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 128 pages
\n Publication date: 31 May 2018
\n Publisher: Alma Books Ltd
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When Lord Petre, with audacious insolence, severed a lock of Lady Arabella Fermor's exquisite hair, a fierce conflict erupted between the two noble families. A mutual friend, deeply saddened by their estrangement, approached Alexander Pope, then a young poet, with a playful idea. They sought to lighten the tension by commissioning Pope to write a poem about the incident, intending to create a lighthearted jest that would bring the two families together once again. However, the outcome of this artistic endeavor was far more profound and intricate than anticipated. In its ingenious and poetic brilliance, the poem reached soaring heights of epic sublimity, captivating the hearts and minds of all who encountered it. Yet, beneath the surface lay darker and more perilous undertones, which ignited an even more explosive storm among the parties involved and within the entire literary world of the time.

As Belinda gracefully glides along the Thames, admired for her unparalleled beauty and the cunning Baron's relentless pursuit, a host of supernatural beings, including elves, sylphs, and gnomes, dance around them in a frantic attempt to evade the impending doom. This captivating scene is considered Pope's crowning poetic achievement and is often hailed as the greatest satirical poem ever written.

Included in this volume is the original two-canto version of "The Rape of the Lock," as well as Pope's hilarious mock-interpretation of the poem as a seditious work, titled "A Key to the Lock." Through these complementary pieces, readers are invited to explore the intricate layers of this remarkable literary masterpiece and witness the profound impact it had on the world of poetry and beyond.

\n Weight: 136g\n
Dimension: 130 x 200 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781847497260\n \n