Absalom and Achitophel, written by John Dryden, is another masterpiece. It is essentially a political satire, and in it, the poet took the side of the contemporary king, Charles II. The poem depicts Charles II’s illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, as Absalom. He rebelled against his father, and he was aided and guided in this endeavor by Achitophel, or the Earl of Shaftesbury. The poem beautifully describes the political instability of England during that time, and although Dryden was biased towards the king, there are some universal elements present despite the somewhat one-sided narrative.
It has already been mentioned that this was a political pamphlet in which Dryden explicitly sided with the king, and he was against the Duke of Monmouth. Rebellion could happen at any time because Achitophel has convincingly persuaded Absalom and has manipulated his mind, making him believe that it is the right time to wage war against the king. On the other hand, supporters of the king are also prepared for any rebellion, and if rebellion occurs, they will join forces with the Duke of Monmouth and defeat him. In such a volatile situation, Dryden attempted to strengthen the morale of the king’s supporters and show readers a perspective favorable to the king.
The first universal characteristic that needs to be mentioned is greed for power. At that time, England was in a state of instability, and in the history of England, the 17th century was actually a period of political instability. The father of King Charles II, King Charles I, was executed by the Puritans, and under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell, they seized power. King Charles II could regain power in 1660, and that event is referred to as the restoration. Throughout the reign of King Charles II, it was evident that there was conflict within the political parties. This phenomenon is often observed throughout the history of the world where there is a monarchy—some people support the king while some oppose the king, and everyone has a lust for power.
Religious division, or the disparity based on religion, had been a significant theme in England’s history for many years, reaching its most critical state in the 17th century, notably after the ascent to power of King Charles II. During this time, England was divided between Catholics on one side and Protestants on the other. Before this period, although the Puritans managed to seize power for a while, their influence did not persist for long. The Anglicans, or Protestants, constituted a majority, while the Catholics were in the minority. On the other hand, King Charles secretly sympathized with the Catholics, and later he bequeathed the throne to his younger brother, James, who was a professed Catholic. While this may be seen as a religious division, it is also an example of greed for power. Since the king did not have any legitimate heirs, his decision to pass the throne to his younger brother, James, led to the Duke of Monmouth, his illegitimate son, instigating a rebellion.
In this poem, Dryden repeatedly emphasized the need for unity in a nation. During that time, England was embroiled in hostilities with France on one side and disputes with Holland on the other. However, as there was a lack of unity among the people of England, the country was in a dire state, and there was a constant fear of external aggression. Therefore, what Dryden is trying to convey is that if there is no unity among the people themselves, it will lead to instability. At that time, England not only faced political instability but also social and economic instability.
The biggest example of universal characteristics in Absalom and Achitophel's poem is perhaps its characters. The characters in this poem are drawn from the Bible and represent significant contemporary personalities in England. However, we observe such characters across ages. Throughout the ages, we see rulers like David or Charles II who were attracted to the affairs of the prostitutes. Through the ages, we also encounter foolish people like Absalom who engage in conflict against their own fathers at the behest of others. Through the ages, we have encountered individuals like Achitophel who aspire to bring about societal upheavals through their intellect. Dryden has depicted these characters beautifully in his work.
If we think about one of the universal appeals of Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, then we can see a reflection of present-day Bangladesh. For nearly 20 years, there has been political turbulence, and the country is divided into two factions: on one side, there is the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and on the other, there is the Bangladesh Awami League. Due to the ongoing conflicts between these two political parties, the people of Bangladesh are currently facing uncertainty, and the nation not only experiences political instability but also witnesses various forms of unrest. The lives of people are not safe today due to unrest on the streets, and the prices of commodities skyrocket due to frequent strikes. The root cause of all these issues is the division or disunity in the country. Therefore, the people of Bangladesh must learn from Absalom and Achitophel and strive for unity. Without this effort, the future of Bangladesh may plunge into extreme darkness.
Absalom and Achitophel is a poem of very high quality and is acclaimed as one of the best satires in English literature. Dryden has shown as nuanced a view of reality as possible, though he was on the king’s side. Despite being on the king’s side, he often depicted the faults of the king and, at times, praised the virtues of the Duke of Monmouth. Therefore, it is essential for all of us to read this poem and derive lessons from it.
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