Carnival and Misrule in Dryden

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, in his poetic works of ?MacFlecknoe? and ?Absalom and Achitophel?, John Dryden focuses on the idea of coronation to degrade his satirical target. It looks at how ?MacFlecknoe? centers around the crowning of a new ?king of bad writing?, whereas ?Absalom and Achitophel? satirizes the very realistic predicament of a threat to the English crown. It also explores how, during the 18th century in England, the folk custom of carnival was very popular and how Dryden derived his royal satires from these traditional English carnivals.

From the Paper:

"Dryden was no doubt familiar with these carnivals of misrule (Combe 5). During the observance of Twelfthtide in England, the carnival was in full swing; "Dating from at least the twelfth or thirteenth century, a Lord of Misrule was commonly appointed to oversee the Chistmastide revels at the royal court, in noble households, in various municipalities, at the universities, and at the London law schools" (Combe 5). The Christmastide carnival at the Inns of court was probably the most influential to Dryden, for it was the most complete ritualistic carnival at the time (Combe 6). During this carnival, a Lord of Misrule was crowned, termed the Christmas prince; the carnival began on December 21, and the disorder lasted for about four weeks (Combe 6)."

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