Macflecknoe by John Dryden, poem summary, explanation, British Literature - II, B.A English Literature, 1st Year 2nd Semester,

 BA English Literature

 [1^st Year, 2^nd Semester]

Core Paper V: BRITISH LITERATURE

UNIT 1: Poetry (Detailed)

1.1 “Macflecknoe” John Dryden

1.2 “Tyger” William Blake

1.3 “For A’ That And A’ That” Robert Burns

1.4 “Three years she grew” William Wordsworth

1.5 “Kubla Khan” Samuel Taylor Coleridge

1.6 “From Childe Harolde’s Pilgrimage” Lord Byron

1.7 “Ozymandias” Percy Bysshe Shelley

1.8 “Ode to a Nightingale” John Keats

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1.1 “Macflecknoe” John Dryden

About Poet:

John Dryden, an English poet who was born at Northamptonshire in August 9, 1631 was known as the founder of English literary criticism and the formulator of a new style of poetic expression which is called heroic couplet. As an English poet, John Dryden is classified as classic writer. At a glance, Dryden’s poems, when compared to romantic verses, found lacking that love of nature. His verses are commonly simple. He loved to apply intellectual approach.

About the poem:

MacFleknoe is a mock-heroic poem.

“Mock-heroic or mock-epic works are typically satires or parodies that mock common Classical stereotypes of heroes and heroic literature. Typically, mock-heroic works either put a fool in the role of the hero or exaggerate the heroic qualities to such a point that they become absurd.”

Background of the poem:

Dryden's intention in writing "Mac Flecknoe" was to expose Thomas Shadwell as an inferior writer. Dryden parodies Shadwell cruelly, in spite of the fact that he maintains a strategic distance from mockery. Rather, Dryden uses the outstanding ability of his wit, extremely sharp, to expose Shadwell's writing as uninteresting and boring. Early in the poem, Dryden uses hyperbole or overstatement to pressure the duskiness of Shadwell's creative ability and imagination.

Summary of Mac Flecknoe: 

The poem identifies itself as a satire of which the subject is “the True-blue Protestant Poet T.S.” referring to the poet Thomas Shadwell.

The poem’s first line creates an impression that it is an epic poem about a legendary hero. The next lines speak of Mac Flecknoe, a monarch who rules the realm of Nonsense instead of governing an empire. The King is old and must, therefore, choose a successor to his throne. Dryden wonders whether a poet who has talent and wit will be chosen by the king or whether he will choose someone like him, a man with no literary talent.

Flecknoe decides on his son Shadwell, a no-talented man who is dull, lazy, and always at war with wit. Shadwell is described as a man of great corpulence too. Through the words of Flecknoe, the poet continues to insult Shadwell in a mock-heroic tone, calling him a dunce, the “last great prophet of tautology,” and “he was made for anointed dullness.” Shadwell arrives in London, equipped as a king and lauded by the people.

Flecknoe chooses a neighbourhood of brothels and theatres birthing poor actors for his son’s throne. True drama doesn’t exist within those places; only basic plays are welcome. Dryden also alludes to some of Shadwell‘s historical plays, such as Epsom Wells and Psyche, and mocks another contemporary author, Singleton, who is envious that he was not chosen to succeed the throne. It is clear Shadwell will rule over those who have no literary talent in this setting.

Dryden‘s descriptions serve only to highlight Shadwell’s incompetence and create the image of a fool ruling over the peasants.

As the coronation begins, Dryden describes the streets as lined with the limbs of other poets, implying that at the detriment of talented authors, Shadwell managed to hold onto his post. Once again, the poet mentions human waste and connects it with the writing of Shadwell and compares it with a historical figure, Hannibal, implying that the intention of Shadwell is to kill wit and replace it with dullness.

The oil used to anoint a new king during his coronation is replaced by wine, which signifies the dullness of a poet. Shadwell sits on the throne after the crown is put on his head, and the former king prepares to make a speech to the cheering audience.

The former king starts by showing the land that the new king will rule over, a land that nobody lives on. Flecknoe encourages his son to stay faithful to his writing and not allow any improvements to be made in his work. Flecknoe praises the skill of Shadwell and then finishes his speech by advising Shadwell to stay boring and stop trying to be like Jonson.

Flecknoe concludes by urging his son not to concentrate on real plays but rather to work on them. The anagrams or acrostics. His last words are cut off and he sinks below the floor. His mantle falls on Shadwell, which is suitable as he has twice as much “talent” like his father.