1. Pope and Human Nature

2. Neoclassicism
Began around 1660 and lasted throughout much of the 18th century
writers modeled their work after Ancient Greek and Roman literature, which they believed contained universal truths and rules of form important in writing
emphasized reason, common sense, good taste, simplicity, emotional restraint, order and balance
many exposed the contradictions and weaknesses in society; some gave moral instruction
important concepts were Nature and Wit

3. Nature = universal principles of truth underlying the structure of the world; source of order and harmony both in society and in individual behavior
Wit = imagination, intelligence, and cleverness

4. Alexander Pope neoclassical writer in both thought and style
wrote two verse essays: An Essay on Man and An Essay on Criticism
reflect many of the neoclassical ideals
began writing at 17

5. Epigrams
epigram= in Ancient Greece it was a simple inscription on a monument
for Alexander Pope it was a short poem or saying characterized by conciseness, balance, clarity, and wit.

6. Pentameter in Pope
A heroic couplet = two rhyming lines of iambic pentameter
iambic pentameter = pattern of five feet per line, each made up of two syllables
first syllable is unstressed; second is stressed
Avoid extremes; and shun the fault of such, Who still are pleased too little or too much.

7. Alexander Pope
Read and annotate the background information about Alexander Pope
Biographical information
ALL Notable Quotations
ONE Epistle
If/when you finish…
Read “An Essay on Man” and “An Essay on Criticism” and complete the final pages of the packet (we will be working on this and doing more with it tomorrow)
Work on your Pepys Diary Entries

8. 1/13 Warm-up
Choose one notable quotation from your packet that is from the epistle you chose to annotate and then in at least half a page:
Explain how the notable quotation exemplifies or demonstrates the overall theme or focus of the epistle
Explain how this connects to the ideals of Neoclassicism and the Enlightenment

9. Pope’s Opinions Read “An Essay on Man” and “An Essay on Criticism”
Find the contrasting statements and words throughout both of the verse essays
These express Pope’s opinion about weaknesses and contradiction in human nature
Make a list of these contradictions for each poem and explain what Pope is saying about human nature

10. On the same paper…
Why do you think Pope says that human beings are constantly “in doubt”?
What are some of Pope’s main concerns throughout his epigrams?
Think about his references to nature, art, and wit, and what he says about pride
Do you think Pope is optimistic or pessimistic about human behavior?
How might descriptions of certain events in The Diary of Samuel Pepys be used to illustrate the contradiction Pope suggests in his statement that a human being is “great lord of all things, yet a prey to all”?
Compare the views of human nature expressed in these excerpts with modern views. Do you think Pope’s viewpoints are still relevant today?