Introduction:

The greatest achievement of Dryden as a poet is 'Absalom and Achitophel', a satirical and argumentative poem. Dryden was interested in public affairs and the political controversies that raged during the Restoration period. The reign of Charles II was beset with political and religious controversies. The sharp satiric genius of Dryden found sufficient material for a great poem in the contemporary situation. Dryden's own political views were based on legitimism that is the divine rights of the kings to rule and the traditional rules regarding procession. He believed in settled government and any attempt to upset the traditional system was illegal and hence disliked by him.

The Political Background:

The Political background of the poem is the Whig agitation to exclude from succession to the throne Charles II's Brother James on the grounds that he was a Roman Catholic. The Whigs encouraged Charles's illegitimate son, Duke of Monmouth to assert his claims to succession. The Earl of Shaftesbury was the leader of the Whig agitation exclude James, Duke of York from succession. The Duke of Buckingham also supported him.

As Dryden was a loyalist, he supported legality and true succession. The political and religious atmosphere was so vitiated by the controversies and intrigues that Dryden's sharp satirical wit came out with 'Absalom and Achitophel' to ridicule the follies of the Whigs. It is said that King Charles himself commissioned Dryden to write the satirical poem.

The Biblical Story:

Dryden found the Biblical story of the rebellion of Absalom against his father king David as an appropriate framework for satirizing the contemporary situation. Charles II is presented as King David and Shaftsbury as Achitophel who was the chief adviser of Absalom until his advice was rejected and he hanged himself. The Duke of Buckingham is presented as Zimri, the Biblical killer of the king Elah of Israel.

There is sharp ironic humour in the parallel between the Biblical framework and the contemporary events. The Biblical framework enables Dryden to get an opportunity to exercise his gift for satire and ridicule without apparently offending none in particular.

Charles and King David:

Dryden's satire was directed not only against the Whigs and the Protestants but even to the king himself. The comparison between Charles and King David allows Dryden to make some satiric remarks on the merry Monarch's personal life. Charles II lived an immoral life with many wives and concubines. He had many illegitimate children just as King David also had. The comparison is intended to show the King's licentious life. Dryden writes-