Inspiration by Homer

Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock" engages the reader by telling the tale of a beauteous young woman who has been terribly wronged when an amorous suitor purloins a lock of hair. He begins his tale with an introduction, an apology of sorts, to one Arabella Fermor.Pope makes light of the fairer sex, and indeed poets themselves, as he states " . . . for the ancient poets are in one respect like many modern ladies: let …

…Oh! if to dance all night, and dress all day, Charmed the small pox away, Who would not scorn what housewife's cares produce, Or who would learn one earthly thing of use?" (IV. 19-21). Alexander Pope makes us painfully aware that we are all trivial in comparison to the true tragedies of life. He satirizes, criticizes, and makes it abundantly clear that, when held up for scrutiny, we are all idle young lords and ladies.