Hudibras

Hudibras is a mock heroic poem from the 17th century written by Samuel Butler.

Purpose

The work is a satirical polemic upon Roundheads, Puritans, Presbyterians and many of the other factions involved in the English Civil War. The work was written in three parts in 1663, 1664 and 1678 although an unauthorised edition came out in 1662.

Related Topics:
Satirical - Polemic - Roundhead - Puritan - Presbyterian - English Civil War - 1663 - 1664 - 1678 - 1662

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Published only four years after Charles II had been restored to the throne and the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell being completely over the poem found an appreciative audience. The satire is not balanced as Butler was fiercely royalist and only the parliamentarian side are singled out for ridicule. Butler also uses the work to parody some of the dreadful poetry of the time.

Related Topics:
Charles II - Restored - The Protectorate - Oliver Cromwell

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The epic tells the story of Sir Hudibras, a knight errant who is described dramatically and with laudatory praise that is so thickly applied to be absurd and the conceited and arrogant person is visible beneath. He is praised for his knowledge of logic despite appearing stupid throughout, but it his religious fervour which is mainly attacked:

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:For his Religion, it was fit

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:To match his learning and his wit;

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:'Twas Presbyterian true blue;

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:For he was of that stubborn crew

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:Of errant saints, whom all men grant

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:To be the true Church Militant;

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:Such as do build their faith upon

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:The holy text of pike and gun;

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:Decide all controversies by

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:Infallible artillery;

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:And prove their doctrine orthodox

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:By apostolic blows and knocks;

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:Call fire and sword and desolation,

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:A godly thorough reformation,

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:Which always must be carried on,

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:And still be doing, never done;

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:As if religion were intended

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:For nothing else but to be mended.

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His squire, Ralpho, is of a similar stamp but makes no claim to great learning knowing all there is to know from his religion or ?new-light? as he calls it. Butler satirises the competing factions at the time of the protectorship by the constant bickering of these two principle characters whose religious opinions should unite them.

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These are fawning but barbed portraits and are thought to represent personalities of the times but the actual analogues are, now as then, debateable. "A Key to Hudibras" printed with one of the work's editions and ascribed to Roger L'Estrange names Sir Samuel Luke as the model for Hudibras. Certainly, the mention of Mamaluke in the poem makes this possible although Butler suggests Hudibras is from the West Country making Henry Rosewell a candidate. The witchfinder, Matthew Hopkins, John Desborough parliamentarian general and William Prynne lawyer all make and appearance and the character of Sidrophel is variously seen as either William Lilly or Paul Neale.

Related Topics:
Roger L'Estrange - Samuel Luke - Henry Rosewell - Witchfinder - Matthew Hopkins - John Desborough - Parliamentarian - William Prynne - William Lilly - Paul Neale

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