John Dryden’s Mac Flecknoe is one of the most biting and memorable satirical poems in the English literary canon. Written in 1678 and published in 1682, this mock-heroic poem takes aim at Thomas Shadwell, a rival poet, and playwright, with scathing wit and masterful poetic form. Dryden uses satire to attack Shadwell’s lack of literary talent, holding him up as the heir to the throne of poetic dullness. The poem is rich in imagery, classical allusions, and an intricate structure that mirrors the heroic epics of writers like Homer and Virgil. However, unlike these epics, Mac Flecknoe ridicules rather than glorifies its subject, creating a work of art that critiques not just a person but a broader sense of mediocrity in the arts. In this article, we will dive into a summary and analysis of the poem, a discussion of its key characters, and an exploration of its central themes.
Summary and Analysis of Mac Flecknoe
The full title of the poem is Mac Flecknoe; or, A Satire on the True Blue Protestant Poet, T.S., a clear jab at Shadwell. The name Mac Flecknoe refers to Shadwell being metaphorically the son (Mac, meaning “son of” in Gaelic) of Richard Flecknoe, another poet whom Dryden considered untalented and dull. Flecknoe serves as a symbol of mediocrity, a “king” of bad poetry, who is preparing to abdicate his throne to Shadwell.
The poem opens with Flecknoe’s decision to abdicate his reign as the monarch of dullness, choosing Shadwell as his successor. Dryden describes Flecknoe as a ruler whose kingdom consists of nonsense, where dullness reigns supreme. He rules over a barren wasteland of poetic failure, a place where only the uninspired thrive. The poem is set in a mock-heroic tone, borrowing the style and grandeur of classical epics but using them to describe something as absurd as the coronation of the king of bad poetry.
Flecknoe begins to extol Shadwell’s virtues — or rather, his lack of them. According to Flecknoe, Shadwell is the perfect heir to the throne because he excels at being dull, even more so than Flecknoe himself. Dryden uses irony here to great effect, making it clear that Shadwell’s supposed “virtues” are actually signs of his mediocrity. Flecknoe notes that Shadwell is such a perfect fit for the throne of dullness that he doesn’t even need to try to be dull; it comes naturally to him. He praises Shadwell’s lack of wit, his incompetence in rhyme, and his ability to write endless, meaningless plays and poems.
Flecknoe’s speech, filled with classical references and lofty language, is the heart of Dryden’s satire. The grandeur of the language contrasts sharply with the pettiness of its subject, emphasizing the ridiculousness of the situation. Flecknoe names Shadwell as his successor with a tone that parodies the coronation of a noble king, and the poem continues with a mock-ceremony filled with satirical imagery. The city of Augusta (London) is described as a center of dullness, and the people who populate it are those who indulge in trivial or incompetent artistic endeavors.
The coronation scene becomes more grotesque as it proceeds, with Flecknoe invoking spirits of dullness to bless Shadwell’s reign. Flecknoe compares Shadwell to historical and literary figures known for their stupidity or lack of creativity, further hammering home the point that Shadwell is the epitome of dullness. The poem ends with Flecknoe’s final command that Shadwell continues his reign of literary mediocrity, ensuring that dullness will remain triumphant for generations to come.
Dryden’s use of the heroic couplet — rhymed pairs of iambic pentameter lines — adds to the poem’s mock-epic tone. This structure, which is often used in serious or grandiose works, makes the subject matter of the poem even more absurd. The lofty form contrasts with the lowly content, heightening the satirical effect.
Character Analysis
Flecknoe: Richard Flecknoe is the titular character of the poem, although he is a fictionalized version of the real poet. In Mac Flecknoe, Flecknoe serves as a symbol of mediocrity and bad poetry. Dryden portrays him as a king whose reign is over, and his sole legacy is his ability to produce dull and uninspiring works. Flecknoe’s exaggerated sense of pride in his own mediocrity makes him both a comic and tragic figure. Dryden does not just mock Flecknoe’s lack of talent but also mocks the fact that Flecknoe is completely unaware of his own incompetence. His decision to pass his “crown” to Shadwell suggests a cycle of mediocrity that will continue without end, with Shadwell being a worthy successor in Flecknoe’s eyes because he is even more dull than his predecessor.
Thomas Shadwell: Shadwell is the primary target of Dryden’s satire in Mac Flecknoe. In the poem, he is presented as the perfect heir to the throne of dullness, excelling at producing uninspired and overly long works of poetry and drama. Dryden paints Shadwell as someone who is completely unaware of his lack of talent, and this obliviousness is a key part of the satire. Shadwell believes himself to be a great poet, yet his work is dull, repetitive, and lacks originality. His ambition to succeed Flecknoe is framed not as a noble pursuit but as the continuation of mediocrity. Dryden’s attack on Shadwell is personal as well as professional, as the two had clashed over their differing political and literary views. In the poem, Shadwell is not just a bad poet but the embodiment of everything Dryden despised in literature.
The Spirits of Dullness: Throughout the poem, Dryden personifies dullness and mediocrity as spirits that oversee and bless the coronation of Shadwell. These spirits represent the forces that enable bad poets like Shadwell and Flecknoe to continue their work, despite their lack of talent. They symbolize the acceptance of mediocrity in the literary world and the danger of allowing untalented writers to dominate the arts. Dryden’s use of these spirits adds a supernatural element to the poem, giving the reign of dullness a sense of inevitability.
Themes
Satire and Mock-Heroism: At its core, Mac Flecknoe is a satirical work. Dryden uses satire to criticize Shadwell’s lack of talent, as well as the broader trend of mediocrity in the literary world. The poem mocks the idea that someone as untalented as Shadwell could be considered a poet of note, and it uses humor and irony to expose the absurdity of this notion. Dryden also employs mock-heroism, borrowing the structure and language of classical epics to describe the ridiculous coronation of a king of dullness. This use of epic conventions heightens the satire by contrasting the grandeur of the form with the triviality of the subject matter.
Mediocrity vs. Talent: One of the central themes of Mac Flecknoe is the tension between mediocrity and talent. Dryden is deeply critical of those who achieve success or recognition despite their lack of talent, and he uses Flecknoe and Shadwell as examples of this trend. The poem suggests that mediocrity is not just a personal failing but a broader societal issue, with untalented individuals being allowed to dominate the arts. Dryden’s satire is a call to recognize and reward true talent, rather than allowing mediocrity to flourish.
The Role of the Poet: In Mac Flecknoe, Dryden explores what it means to be a poet and what responsibilities come with that role. Flecknoe and Shadwell are both depicted as failing in their duties as poets, producing works that are devoid of meaning or beauty. Dryden contrasts this with his own view of poetry as a noble and serious art form. By mocking Shadwell’s work, Dryden is implicitly promoting his own vision of what poetry should be: thoughtful, well-crafted, and capable of moving its audience. The poem serves as both a critique of bad poetry and a defense of good poetry.
Literary and Political Rivalry: Mac Flecknoe is not just a personal attack on Shadwell; it is also a reflection of the literary and political rivalries of the time. Dryden and Shadwell were on opposite sides of the political spectrum, with Dryden being a supporter of the monarchy and Shadwell aligning with the Whigs. This political context adds another layer to the poem’s satire, as Dryden’s attack on Shadwell can be seen as part of a broader political critique. Shadwell’s dullness is not just a literary failing, but a sign of his political and intellectual shortcomings as well.
Conclusion
Mac Flecknoe remains one of the most powerful examples of literary satire in English literature. Through its mock-heroic form and biting wit, Dryden delivers a scathing critique of his rival, Thomas Shadwell, and the broader culture of mediocrity in the arts. The poem’s use of classical allusions, irony, and satire serves to elevate its message, making it more than just a personal attack but a commentary on the role of the poet and the state of literary culture. Dryden’s work continues to be studied and admired for its sharp humor, masterful use of form, and insightful critique of the literary world. In Mac Flecknoe, Dryden shows that satire, when done well, is not just about tearing down others but about defending and celebrating the true value of art.
