"Absalom and Achitophel," "generally acknowledged as the finest political satire in

the English language," penned by John Dryden the eminent poet, dramatist, and
satirist of the Restoration era, employs an allegorical framework to scrutinise the
profound religious and political quandaries of its time, predicaments that ultimately
found resolution with the ousting of the Catholic monarchy in 1688.

This poetic composition narrates the biblical account of Absalom's insurrection

against King David, serving as an allegory to represent a contemporaneous story
involving King Charles II and the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681) in Dryden's context. It
also alludes to the Popish Plot (1678). Dryden's poem skillfully weaves a tale of
rebellion, drawing parallels between Monmouth and Absalom, the cherished son,
Charles II and David (known for his dalliances), and Shaftesbury and Achitophel.
Moreover, it casts Buckingham, an enduring adversary of Dryden's (as exemplified in
The Rehearsal), as Zimri, the treacherous servant. Shaftesbury bears the brunt of
responsibility for the uprising, while Charles emerges as a reluctant yet affectionate
leader, compelled to prioritize his duty as king over his role as a father. The poem also
incorporates references to the intense tumult surrounding the Popish Plot. By
employing biblical allusions, Dryden effectively establishes a connection between
ancient paternal figures and contemporary events, not only to illustrate a precedent
but also to underscore the monarch's responsibilities.

Overall, the poem exerted a momentous political impact, propelling Dryden, in the
eyes of his peers, to the forefront of English poets and leaving an indelible imprint on
the tapestry of English literature.