'The two basic modes of satire are good-humoured teasing and savage attack.' Discuss The Rape of the Lock and A Modest Proposal in the light of this statement.

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'The two basic modes of satire are good-humoured teasing and savage attack.' Discuss The Rape of the Lock and A Modest Proposal in the light of this statement.

The Rape of the Lock and A Modest Proposal were both published for the first time early in the 18th century (1712 and 1729 respectively). In addition, Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift were close friends. Given these facts, one could easily assume that there would be numerous similarities in style and arguments. This, though, is not necessarily the case. Satire is largely defined as a genre that attempts to highlight and criticise the flaws and failings of society through mockery and ridicule. It is often intended to inspire self-evaluation or, in more extreme cases, reform. However, the styles of these satirical pieces can be greatly contrasted.

The Rape of the Lock is distinctly light-hearted, and very few, if any, instances of severity can be found. This type of satire is commonly known as Horatian satire, named after the Roman satirist, Horace, who claimed that "every play should either instruct or delight - better if it does both." The poem is written using the heroic couplet, for which Pope