Beginning of poem. Dryden implies libitine ideals v subtley
"In pious times, 'ere priest-craft did begin, before polygamy was made a sin"
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Links to Hobbes, man being free by returning to a state of nature. in this case, equated with Eden
"these Adam-wits, too fortunately free, began to dream they wanted liberty"
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Comment on Charles' flaw? his weakness is his sexual transgressions. Also links to favoritism in political circles
"scatter'd his maker's image through the land/ what faults he had (for who from faults is free?) His father could not, or would not see"
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A comment on the greediness of man and those in power
"Oh, had he been content to serve the crown with the virtues only proper to the gown" -
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Empowering the people
"the people have a right supreme/ to make their kings; for kings are made for them"
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Posession as a key theme, power is essential
"they who possess the prince possess the laws"
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Link to Hobbes. About government. Natures state. Also empowers 'the people'
"...government itself at length must fall to nature's state, here all have right to all"
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Conclusion, the start of democracy? An end to corruption?
"votes shall no more establish'd pow'r control, such votes as make a part exheed a whole"
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End.
"henceforth, a series of new time began"
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disempowers monarchy, again, empowers the people, who become the owners of their kings.
"then kings are slaves to those whom they command"
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Description of Achitophel (Shaftesbury), he is charismatic and cunning
"held up the buckler of the people's cause; against the crown; ans skulk'd behind the laws"
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Description of David (Charle's) downfall, links to Horatian Ode, his fathers downfall, and is the opposite of Waller's depiction in his youth, in many ways, power as a constantly fluctuating thing
"comes tumbling downward with diminish'd light"
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Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
Links to Hobbes, man being free by returning to a state of nature. in this case, equated with Eden
Back
"these Adam-wits, too fortunately free, began to dream they wanted liberty"
Card 3
Front
Comment on Charles' flaw? his weakness is his sexual transgressions. Also links to favoritism in political circles
Back
Card 4
Front
A comment on the greediness of man and those in power
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