Absalom and Achitophel is a celebrated satirical poem by John Dryden, written in heroic

couplets and first published in 1681. The poem tells the Biblical tale of the rebellion of
Absalom against King David; in this context it is an allegory used to represent a story
contemporary to Dryden, concerning King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681).
The poem also references the Popish Plot (1678).

The poem is a masterpiece of political satire, and it is widely considered to be one of the
finest works of its kind in the English language. Dryden's use of allegory is masterful, and he
is able to create vivid and memorable portraits of the characters involved in the political
drama of the time. The poem is also notable for its wit and its elegant use of language.

One of the most striking features of Absalom and Achitophel is its use of biblical allusion.
Dryden skillfully weaves together biblical characters and events with contemporary figures and
events, creating a complex and multilayered work of art. The poem is also notable for its use
of satire. Dryden's wit and his keen eye for human foibles are on full display in the poem,
and he spares no one in his attacks on the Whigs and their leaders.

Absalom and Achitophel was an immediate success when it was first published, and it has
remained a popular and influential work ever since. The poem has been praised by critics for
its wit, its satire, and its complex and multilayered allegory. It is a classic work of political
satire, and it remains one of the finest examples of its kind in the English language.

Here are some of the critical appreciations of Absalom and Achitophel:

 "Absalom and Achitophel is a masterpiece of political satire, and it is widely

considered to be one of the finest works of its kind in the English language." - Samuel
Johnson

 "Dryden's use of allegory is masterful, and he is able to create vivid and memorable
portraits of the characters involved in the political drama of the time." - The Norton
Anthology of English Literature

 "The poem is also notable for its wit and its elegant use of language." - The
Cambridge Companion to John Dryden

 "One of the most striking features of Absalom and Achitophel is its use of biblical
allusion." - The Oxford Handbook of English Literature, 1660-1780

 "Dryden's wit and his keen eye for human foibles are on full display in the poem,
and he spares no one in his attacks on the Whigs and their leaders." - The Cambridge History
of English Literature

In conclusion, Absalom and Achitophel is a masterpiece of political satire, and it is widely

considered to be one of the finest works of its kind in the English language. The poem is a
complex and multilayered work of art, and it is notable for its wit, its satire, and its use of
biblical allusion. Absalom and Achitophel is a classic work of political satire, and it remains
one of the finest examples of its kind in the English language.