Alexander Pope, Essay on Man

Pope is writing in the eighteenth century, a time of great change. New scientific knowledge and ideas about government based on equal rights challenged the powerful European monarchies and the Catholic Church. While intellectuals and scientists were excited by the new discoveries and ideas, most people resisted change and wanted to cling to the old ways. To understand the old ways, have a look at the medieval web site, paying close attention to cosmology and social structures; notice that the social structure is called "The Great Chain of Being"; Pope refers repeatedly to the "Great Chain" in "Essay on Man": click here for the medieval web site.

Now look at Pope's web site: cosmos and revolution.

Pope's poem "Essay on Man" is a defense of the old ideas established by Aquinas. In this poem he is sarcastic and bitter about the concept prevalent among intellectuals and scientists that human beings could figure out the universe and govern themselves without the aid of the monarchies or organized religion.

 Eighteenth century poetry was addressed to everyone in society. Poetry was thought of as a public duty; its purpose was to instruct, teach.