Publisher's Synopsis
Mac Flecknoe and Other Poems is a collection of satirical poems by the famous English poet, John Dryden. The title poem, Mac Flecknoe, is a mock-heroic poem that satirizes a fellow poet, Thomas Shadwell. The poem depicts Shadwell as the heir to the throne of dullness, succeeding his father Flecknoe, who was also a mediocre poet. The collection also includes other satirical poems such as Absalom and Achitophel, a political allegory that satirizes the political situation in England during the reign of King Charles II. The poem portrays the biblical story of Absalom's rebellion against his father King David as a metaphor for the political turmoil in England at the time. Another notable poem in the collection is The Medal, which satirizes the Whig party's attempt to honor the Earl of Shaftesbury with a medal for his role in the Exclusion Crisis. Dryden portrays Shaftesbury as a manipulative and power-hungry politician who is undeserving of such an honor. Overall, Mac Flecknoe and Other Poems is a masterful collection of satirical poetry that showcases Dryden's wit, humor, and skill as a poet. It is a must-read for anyone interested in English literature and the history of satire.Gratuitous recounting of how Shadwell responded to Dryden's opus: Johnnie D. got beat up by some toughs.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
