John Dryden’s poem “Mac Flecknoe.” A Satire upon the True-blue Protestant Poet T.S. T.S. referring to the poet Thomas Shadwell.
John Dryden (1631-1700) enjoyed significant acclaim during his lifetime as a distinguished poet, literary critic, and playwright. His influence on the literary era following the Restoration of Charles II was so profound that it’s often referred to as the “Age of Dryden.” Dryden’s literary talents were officially acknowledged by the Stuart Monarchy in 1668 when he was appointed as England’s inaugural Poet Laureate.
” Mac Flecknoe” is a mock-heroic poem that satirizes a contemporary poet named Richard Flecknoe, portraying him as a mediocre and absurd poet who passes on his title of “King of Nonsense” to a successor named Shadwell. The poem is known for its wit and humorous critique of bad poetry. Written in 1678. Published in 1682, anonymously.
“Mac Flecknoe” is the outcome of a series of disagreements between Thomas Shadwell and Dryden. It is a direct attack on Thomas Shadwell by John Dryden.
Shadwell believed that he was the rightful successor to Ben Jonson’s legacy, particularly in the type of comedy Jonson was known for. However, Shadwell’s poetry did not match the high standards set by Jonson. It’s likely that Dryden grew tired of Shadwell’s insistence that Dryden didn’t appreciate Jonson enough. The divide between Shadwell and Dryden wasn’t just literary; it was also political. Shadwell identified with the Whig political faction, while Dryden openly supported the Stuart monarchy.
In the poem, Richard Flecknoe, a fictional character, is depicted as the previous king of dullness and poetry. He decides to pass on his throne to a successor, and he selects Shadwell as the most suitable candidate due to Shadwell’s reputation for mediocrity and lack of wit. Flecknoe’s choice of Shadwell as his successor is seen as a commentary on the decline of literary standards and the prevalence of uninspired writing during their time. The poem describes Shadwell’s coronation as the new king of dullness, complete with pomp and ceremony, but the tone is one of mockery rather than celebration. Dryden uses vivid and comical imagery to portray Shadwell’s ascent to the throne, emphasizing his incompetence and lack of originality. Throughout the poem, Dryden employs irony and satire to critique Shadwell’s literary works, highlighting their shortcomings and lack of wit. He also takes jabs at Shadwell’s contemporaries and the state of the literary world in general, suggesting that dullness and mediocrity have become prevalent. Competition, reputation, respect, literature, writing, cleverness – are all themes that have been spun into this poem.
Satire is a Focused Bitterness. The term “satire” comes from the Latin word “satura,” which means “full.” It was originally coined by the classical rhetorician Quintillian. In the context of literary genres, satire is one of the oldest forms of commentary and criticism. The name “satire” reflects its nature as a genre that is full of humor, irony, and wit, all of which are used to critique and ridicule various aspects of society, individuals, or institutions.
Satire in “Mac Flecknoe” is characterized by a pointed and acerbic tone. The poem is a concise but scathing satire, where John Dryden directs his humorous disdain towards Thomas Shadwell. It serves as both a personal and literary critique. Dryden’s talent for satire shines through in this work, as he employs the heroic couplet to deliver his satirical message with sharp wit and mockery.
Dryden portrays Shadwell’s defining trait as “dullness,” which is presented in a manner similar to how epic heroes like Odysseus are characterized by traits such as cunning, Achilles by wrath, the hero of Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene” by holiness, and Satan in “Paradise Lost” by pride. Dryden, in a clever twist, subverts the traditional theme of a heroic defining characteristic by assigning Shadwell a negative quality, making dullness his sole supposed virtue.