The Dunciad: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Dunciad: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the allegorical figures within Alexander Pope's satirical epic poem, "The Dunciad." Central to the narrative is Dulness, a goddess representing ignorance and mediocrity, who oversees a realm filled with dull writers and artists. Described as the offspring of Chaos and Night, Dulness's influence stretches across the literary and artistic communities, as she presides over competitions among booksellers and poets, ultimately revealing their ineptitudes. Lewis Tibbald, initially appointed as King of Dulness, represents the failings of certain literary figures, while Colley Cibber later takes his place, further emphasizing the theme of literary incompetence. Supporting characters like Poetic Justice and Elkanah Settle contribute to the narrative by providing insights into Dulness's dominion over art and intellect. The harlot and the specter emerge in the fourth book, celebrating the decline of artistic merit and the ascendance of ignorance in education and music. This exploration of characters highlights Pope's critique of the literary landscape of his time, making it a significant piece for understanding the interplay between creativity and mediocrity.
The Dunciad: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Alexander Pope
First published: 1728–1743
Genre: Poetry
Locale: England and the underworld
Plot: Mock-heroic
Time: Eighteenth century
Dulness, the central character, introduced in the epic's first lines. She is described as a goddess who is the daughter of Chaos and Night and who has ruled over the world and its inhabitants from the beginning of time. Enveloped in clouds, fog, and mist, which magnify her presence and obscure her face, Dulness is also continually surrounded by such allegorical figures as Fortitude, Temperance, and Prudence. In the first book, after surveying and appraising the numerous creators of dull writing, she finally anoints Tibbald as the king of her realm. Dulness, in the second book, presides over the games and contests held between rival booksellers, poets, publishers, and journalists, who all compete for her approval. Because no one can pass her final test—to stay awake while two authors read aloud—Dulness grants her favors to none. The past and future triumphs of Dulness are the subject of the third book, and in the fourth book, Dulness is depicted as a true deity. At the end of the epic, she reigns supreme over the sciences and universities as well as the arts and theatres.
Lewis Tibbald (Cibber), a character modeled on Lewis Theobald, a Shakespearean scholar who embarrassed Alexander Pope in 1726. He is introduced in the middle of the first book, when he is named King of Dulness by the goddess Dulness. In the fourth book, which Pope added to the original poem, Tibbald is replaced by Cibber, who is based on the real Colley Cibber, an eighteenth century playwright and poet laureate. Pope's Cibber is a dull poet who possesses only enough talent to create poor occasional verses. Depicted in all four books of the epic as a pedantic critic, a Grub Street journalist, and a bad poet, the King of Dulness appears only at intervals. As Pope's easy substitution of Cibber for Tibbald indicates, the role the King of Dulness plays in the epic is quite small. The King of Dulness is present as a spectator of, not a participant in, the games described in the second book, and during the third book, his actions are limited to sleeping with his head in the goddess' lap and dreaming of her past and future conquests. In the fourth book, the King of Dulness merely continues to recline in the lap of his queen as she rules the world.
Poetic Justice, a character keenly interested in the affairs of mortals. Poetic Justice assists the goddess Dulness as she searches for one to crown as the King of Dulness.
Elkanah Settle, a character based on the Restoration poet of the same name. During the dream sequence of the third book, Settle shows the King of Dulness the future and the offspring of the goddess Dulness.
John Taylor, who represents the real Water Poet of the Restoration era. He accompanies the King of Dulness and Settle on the journey depicted in the third book of the epic.
The harlot, who appears in the fourth book as the first of many personages who tells of Dulness' victory over the arts. The harlot comes as a representative of the Italian opera, and she rejoices in the banishment of Handel to Ireland and of the new chaos in music.
The specter, who, like the harlot, appears in the fourth book to celebrate Dulness' triumph. Representing education, the specter gleefully assures the goddess that imagination and creativity are no longer allowed in school.