Show how John Dryden has made use of the Biblical parallels to portray the political crisis of his time in his poem, Absalom and Achitophel

Ans. The poem Absalom and Achitophel is based upon the Biblical story of Absalom's rebellion against his father, David which is told in the Second Book of Samuel in the Old Testament of the Bible. David became the king of Israel and Hebron after Saul's death. His beloved son Absalom rebelled against him at the instigation of some evil counsellors, the chief of whom was Achitophel. Achitophel was once the King's close friend but later on turned against him.

In the poem, Dryden compares King Charles Il to King David, the Duke of Monmouth to Absalom and the first Earl of Shaftesbury to Achitophel. The Duke of Monmouth was the illegitimate son of King Charles Il. Shaftesbury had an unlimited lust for power. He wanted to rule the country or ruin it. He instigates the Duke of Monmouth to rebel against his father. He tries to use the Duke Of Monmouth as his tool. Thus, he appears to be a villain in the poem.

In the poem there are other characters with appropriate Biblical names. For example, Hushai, David's friend, stands for Lawrence Hyde, Earl of Rochester, Charles Il's First Lord of the Treasury. He fought against the Exclusion Bill.

Zimri appears twice in the Bible, once as a lecherous murderer and again as a murderous usurper. In Absalom and Achitophel, he stands for George Villiers, the second Duke of Buckingham (1628- 87). He is a poet, wit and politician. He was a man of brilliant gifts but of unstable and profligate character.

Shimei is a Republican and a great supporter of the anti-royalist group. He stands for Slingsby Bethel (1617-97), a sheriff of London and Middlesex. He accumulated wealth by cheating people and covered it up by his devotion to God. The people of London selected him as the Sheriff of the city in order to reward him for his hatred for the king.

Zadoc was a companion of David, who carried the Ark of the Covenant with him into the wilderness. David sent him back to Jerusalem to await God's judgment. Here he stands for William Sancroft, Archbishop of Canterbury. Barzillai is a biblical character who lived beyond the Jordan River and sustained David during Absalom's rebellion. In Absalom and Achitophel, he stands for the Duke of Ormond (1616 88) who was a patron of Dryden and one of the most devoted servants of Charles. He accompanied Charles Il during his exile and served him faithfully during the time of his misfortunes on many important occasions.

Corah is a Biblical name who led a rebellion against Moses. In Absalom and Achitophel, he stands for Titus Oates, who invented the Popish• Plot and led the persecution of Catholics.

Balaam was the earl of Hutchington. According to the Bible, he was good at cursing and blessing. He was summoned by Balak to curse the Israelites but he encouraged illicit sexual relations. When confronted with the angel of the Lord, he deserted Balak. Similarly, the Earl of Hutchington left Shaftesbury and was reconciled with Charles in 1681.

John Dryden uses the Biblical story in his poem Absalom and Achitophel to warn his people of the schemes that the false religious men and politicians use to fulfil their goals against the English monarchy.