Who is the Belle in Alexander Pope’s “The Rape of the Lock”?
Alexander Pope’s poem “The Rape of the Lock” tells the story of a young woman named Belinda who has a lock of her hair stolen by a mischievous baron. The poem follows Belinda as she attempts to reclaim her lost lock and restore her honor. Throughout the poem, Belinda is referred to as “the belle,” which is French for “beautiful.”
Belinda as a Symbol of Beauty
In “The Rape of the Lock,” Belinda is presented as an idealized version of beauty. She is described as having perfect features, with eyes that sparkle like stars and lips that are compared to coral. Her beauty is so great that it causes even the gods to pause and admire her. This serves to emphasize how important beauty was during this time period, and how much power it held over people.
Belinda as a Symbol of Virtue
In addition to being a symbol of beauty, Belinda also serves as a symbol of virtue. Throughout the poem, she is portrayed as being virtuous and honorable, refusing to give in to the Baron’s advances despite his attempts to seduce her. This serves to emphasize how important virtue was during this time period, and how much power it held over people.
Conclusion
In Alexander Pope’s poem “The Rape of the Lock,” Belinda serves as both a symbol of beauty and virtue. Her beauty is so great that it causes even the gods to pause and admire her, while her virtue is so strong that she refuses to give in to the Baron’s advances. Through these two symbols, Pope emphasizes how important beauty and virtue were during this time period.