John Dryden’s Mac Flecknoe is a masterclass in satirical poetry, an exemplar of the mock-heroic genre that blends sharp wit with intellectual vigor. Published in 1682, the poem stands as a literary attack on Thomas Shadwell, a contemporary playwright whom Dryden considered to be lacking in talent and judgment. The work reflects Dryden’s disapproval of the state of contemporary literature, critiquing not just Shadwell, but the broader tendency towards mediocrity and dullness that he saw creeping into the arts. Through a brilliant parody of classical epic conventions, Mac Flecknoe elevates Shadwell to a throne of stupidity, where he reigns as the King of Nonsense. By mocking the conventions of epic poetry, Dryden exposes the pretensions of Shadwell’s literary ambitions, while also making a wider comment on the degradation of taste in the Restoration period.

Summary and Analysis

At its heart, Mac Flecknoe is a mock-heroic poem, a genre that takes the grandiose style of epic poetry but applies it to absurd or trivial subject matter. The poem is a parody of the classical epic form, which typically celebrates heroic deeds and noble figures. In Mac Flecknoe, however, Dryden applies this elevated style to the coronation of Thomas Shadwell, whom he portrays as the heir to a kingdom of nonsense and dullness. The poem’s plot revolves around Flecknoe, a symbol of literary mediocrity, who abdicates his throne in favor of Shadwell, his chosen successor. Flecknoe, a poet whose lack of talent has granted him rule over the realm of bad writing, is depicted as a wise and seasoned monarch choosing the most fitting heir to his kingdom. This ironic glorification of Shadwell’s deficiencies is the central satirical device in the poem.

The poem begins with the declaration that Flecknoe has long ruled over a land of nonsensical verse, a kingdom of “Fumblers” and “Tiresome writers.” The epic tone is established immediately, with Dryden invoking a mock-heroic grandeur to the abdication of the throne. Flecknoe, in the tradition of classical epic kings, decides to retire and appoint a successor. He searches for someone who can best carry forward his legacy of ineptitude, and after long contemplation, he finds the perfect candidate in Shadwell.

Flecknoe’s speech in the poem is one of the key highlights of Dryden’s satire. He lavishes praise on Shadwell, but this praise is double-edged, as it highlights Shadwell’s incompetence. Flecknoe praises Shadwell for his steadfast dedication to dullness and mediocrity, exalting his inability to grasp the subtlety or complexity of poetry. Flecknoe notes that Shadwell has never deviated from his path of ineptitude, and this consistency in producing bad writing makes him the ideal successor.

Dryden uses Flecknoe’s speech to mock Shadwell’s literary achievements—or, more accurately, his lack thereof. Flecknoe proudly declares that Shadwell will outdo all others in the kingdom of nonsense, surpassing even the most trivial and inane writers of the past. The satirical praise that Flecknoe bestows upon Shadwell is laced with irony, as Dryden points out that Shadwell’s works lack any creativity, imagination, or intellectual substance.

In the coronation scene, Dryden intensifies his parody by having Flecknoe describe Shadwell’s rise to power in language that mimics classical epic poetry. The coronation itself is a grotesque parody of the grand rituals seen in traditional epics, but instead of receiving symbols of power, Shadwell is crowned with signs of ignorance and ineptitude. Flecknoe’s kingdom is not a place of heroism or greatness, but a land of mediocrity where nothing of value can be produced. Shadwell’s crowning as king is a moment of triumph for dullness and stupidity, with Dryden using the occasion to ridicule not only Shadwell’s abilities but the state of contemporary literature as a whole.

The poem’s conclusion reinforces this satirical take on Shadwell’s literary career. After being crowned, Shadwell takes his place as the new king of nonsense, and Flecknoe’s final blessing is one of ironic encouragement. He tells Shadwell to continue his path of mediocrity and to produce works that will ensure his legacy as the king of bad writers. This final scene serves as a stinging critique of Shadwell’s inability to produce anything of value, while also expressing Dryden’s disdain for the declining standards of literature in his time.

Character Analysis

The two central figures in Mac Flecknoe are Flecknoe and Shadwell, both of whom are satirical representations of real people. These characters are not developed in the sense of traditional literary figures, as they serve more as allegorical representations of mediocrity and ineptitude.

• Flecknoe: Richard Flecknoe, a minor poet in real life, is transformed in Dryden’s poem into a symbol of poetic incompetence. Flecknoe is portrayed as a monarch ruling over the kingdom of dullness, where his lack of talent has earned him the throne. Dryden uses Flecknoe to represent everything that is wrong with the literary landscape of the time, particularly the rise of poets and playwrights who, in his view, had no real understanding of art. Flecknoe’s role in the poem is to pass on his legacy of mediocrity to Shadwell, whom he sees as an even more suitable ruler of the realm of nonsense.
• Shadwell: The primary target of Dryden’s satire, Thomas Shadwell, is depicted as the perfect heir to Flecknoe’s throne. In Dryden’s eyes, Shadwell embodies everything that is wrong with contemporary writing—he is dull, unimaginative, and completely lacking in artistic merit. Shadwell’s most notable characteristic in the poem is his consistent dedication to mediocrity. Dryden paints him as a man utterly incapable of producing anything of value, yet completely unaware of his own shortcomings. This makes Shadwell a fitting ruler for the kingdom of nonsense, as he is both the product and the perpetuator of literary ineptitude.

While Mac Flecknoe is primarily a personal attack on Shadwell, it is important to note that the character of Shadwell is also a stand-in for a broader critique. Dryden is not just mocking Shadwell as an individual; he is using Shadwell as a symbol of a larger problem in Restoration literature, where superficiality and mediocrity were gaining prominence. By focusing his satire on Shadwell, Dryden is making a wider comment on the state of contemporary art and the degradation of literary standards.

Themes

Several themes run through Mac Flecknoe, all of which reinforce the poem’s central satirical message. Dryden uses the mock-epic form to explore ideas related to artistic merit, mediocrity, and the role of the poet in society.

• The Triumph of Mediocrity: The primary theme of Mac Flecknoe is the triumph of mediocrity. Dryden portrays Shadwell’s ascension to the throne as a victory for dullness, a moment where mediocrity is elevated to a position of power and influence. This theme reflects Dryden’s concern with the state of contemporary literature, where he saw writers like Shadwell gaining prominence despite their lack of talent. The poem is a critique of a society that rewards mediocrity and allows it to flourish at the expense of true artistic achievement.
• The Decline of Literary Standards: Closely related to the theme of mediocrity is the idea that literary standards are in decline. Dryden uses Mac Flecknoe to lament the degradation of taste in the Restoration period, where poets like Shadwell were able to find success despite their obvious lack of ability. By portraying Shadwell as the king of nonsense, Dryden is commenting on the broader trend of lowering standards in literature, where superficiality and bombast were being mistaken for genuine artistic talent.
• Satire and Parody as Artistic Tools: Dryden’s use of satire and parody in Mac Flecknoe is itself a comment on the role of the poet in society. By using humor and irony to expose the flaws of Shadwell and other writers of his ilk, Dryden is asserting the importance of critical thinking and intellectual rigor in art. The mock-epic form allows Dryden to highlight the absurdity of Shadwell’s ambitions, while also demonstrating the power of satire as a tool for social commentary. In this sense, Mac Flecknoe is both a critique of mediocrity and a celebration of the poet’s role as a truth-teller and moral guide.
• The Role of the Poet: Another theme in the poem is the role of the poet in society. Dryden believed that poets had a responsibility to uphold certain standards of truth and beauty, and that art should reflect the highest ideals of human thought and expression. In Mac Flecknoe, Shadwell is portrayed as the antithesis of this ideal, a poet who produces nothing of value and who contributes to the decline of artistic standards. By mocking Shadwell’s pretensions, Dryden is reinforcing his own belief in the importance of intellectual and artistic excellence.
• Literary Tradition and Inheritance: Dryden also engages with the theme of literary tradition and inheritance in Mac Flecknoe. The poem is framed as a transfer of power from one poet to another, with Flecknoe passing on his legacy to Shadwell. However, this inheritance is not one of greatness or creativity, but of mediocrity and incompetence. Dryden uses this theme to critique the ways in which literary traditions can be corrupted and degraded when they fall into the hands of unworthy successors.

Conclusion

John Dryden’s Mac Flecknoe is a brilliant example of satirical poetry that uses the mock-epic form to critique both an individual writer and the broader cultural trends of his time. Through his biting humor and sharp wit, Dryden exposes the mediocrity of Thomas Shadwell, while also commenting on the decline of literary standards in Restoration England. The poem’s themes of mediocrity, the decline of taste, and the role of the poet resonate beyond the personal attack on Shadwell, making Mac Flecknoe a timeless critique of the dangers of artistic complacency and the importance of intellectual rigor in the arts.

Dryden’s brilliant use of irony and parody not only dissects Shadwell’s literary weaknesses but also serves as a reminder of the essential role that criticism and satire play in maintaining artistic excellence. Ultimately, Mac Flecknoe is a celebration of the poet’s responsibility to challenge, question, and elevate, ensuring that literature continues to strive toward truth and beauty, rather than succumbing to the forces of mediocrity and dullness.