The Rape of the Lock


Read by Rhonda Federman

(4.4 stars; 35 reviews)

The Rape of the Lock is a mock-heroic narrative poem written by Alexander Pope, first published anonymously in Lintot's Miscellany in May 1712 in two cantos (334 lines), but then revised, expanded and reissued under Pope's name on March 2, 1714, in a much-expanded 5-canto version (794 lines). The final form was available in 1717 with the addition of Clarissa's speech on good humour. The poem satirizes a petty squabble by comparing it to the epic world of the gods. It was based on an incident recounted by Pope's friend, John Caryll. Arabella Fermor and her suitor, Lord Petre, were both from aristocratic recusant Catholic families at a period in England when under such laws as the Test Act, all denominations except Anglicanism suffered legal restrictions and penalties (for example Petre could not take up his place in the House of Lords as a Catholic). Petre, lusting after Arabella, had cut off a lock of her hair without permission, and the consequent argument had created a breach between the two families. Pope, also a Catholic, wrote the poem at the request of friends in an attempt to "comically merge the two." He utilized the character Belinda to represent Arabella and introduced an entire system of "sylphs," or guardian spirits of virgins, a parodied version of the gods and goddesses of conventional epic. (Summary by Wikipedia) (0 hr 58 min)

Chapters

0 - Epistle Dedicatory 3:59 Read by Rhonda Federman
1 - Canto I 10:16 Read by Rhonda Federman
2 - Canto II 9:44 Read by Rhonda Federman
3 - Canto III 12:11 Read by Rhonda Federman
4 - Canto IV 12:05 Read by Rhonda Federman
5 - Canto V 10:40 Read by Rhonda Federman

Reviews

an essay on criticism


(4 stars)

an essay on criticism

beautiful


(5 stars)

Beautiful flow and language. Scenes and feelings which sweep one into the flow of the work. An enjoyable listen.

raycyst


(4 stars)

How dare the author make like of the systematic oppression of locks

Great.


(5 stars)

Great audio to read along with for class.

Excellent.


(5 stars)

Kudos to the narrator. Great rhythm.


(5 stars)

Hilarious poem and an amazing reader!