The change in setting between Canto I and Canto II is a clear presentation of high class society’s majesty and triviality. The “silver Thames” upon which the “well-drest Youths”, Belinda and other members of the high class society are sailing upon is a clear indicator of their majesty. The description of the Thames as “silver” outlines how important the high class society are, or at least how important they view themselves. There is almost a holy atmosphere in the sailing upon “silver”, as if they are truly angels themselves. This holy feeling is enforced by Belinda’s “white breast” upon which “a sparkling Cross she wore”. The use of white implies that she is pure and virtuous, which we must then consider the rest of the society to be, for Belinda is a representation of this society. However, Pope satirises this beauty by stating that “Jews might kiss, and Infidels adore” the “sparkling cross”. Pope’s exaggeration of Belinda’s beauty and importance is an indicator of high class society’s beauty and majestic nature, but also an attack upon them, for it seems to convey how superficial their beauty really is.
The portrayal of the “advent’rous Baron” as a person of power quite clearly conveys high class society’s power; for the members of the society show the society’s true nature. Pope’s description of the Baron is laced with forceful and devious vocabulary such as “force to ravish”, “fraud or force” and “Resolv’d to win”. Such descriptors clearly indicate how forceful the Baron is in attaining his prize which we are already told is Belinda’s “bright locks”. Although this obviously means that he wishes to attain Belinda herself, it is nonetheless an attack upon high class society’s superficial likes – just as Belinda is transfixed and happy at the sight of a “Billet-doux”, the Baron is happy at the sight of “bright locks”; both are as trivial as eachother.
In Canto III, we all immediately reminded of the majesty of the high class society through the introduction of the “majestic frame” of Hampton. Pope yet again insults the high class society, or rather the court this time through his stating of them taking “counsel” at Hampton and “sometimes tea”. This clearly indicates how superficial their importance truly is, for it transforms their counsel into some sort of tea party where with every “word a reputation dies”. Pope’s portrayal of Hampton court as somewhere where useless and harmful gossip is served over tea and where they indulge in their whims such as “singing, laughing, ogling and all that” clearly conveys the true hedonistic nature of the 18th century high class society. One would think that “great Anna” and her counsel would carry out matters of importance and duty. However, just like the “hungry judges” who “soon the sentence sign” just so that the “jury-men may dine” take human life for granted and do not carry out their true duties – upholding justice in the slightest – neither does “great Anna” and her counsel. Pope’s comparison between these two the judges and the lazy councillors of the high class society are very effective in outlining their lazy and inconsiderate nature.
Although Pope insults the high class society, he also acknowledges how rich and powerful they truly her. Their power and importance is conveyed through the materials which they own. The “Alters of Japan” and “China” cups which they use and own are clear indicators of their power and wealth for these are items from all over the world. “Coffee” is also an item which is rarely seen within 18th century England. However, where there is praise, there is insult and with Pope’s flattering description of high class society’s wealth, he then insults wise “politicians” who “see thro’ all things with his half-shut eyes”. This seems to imply that the politicians are more tired than wise. This yet again conveys their inability to carry out duty, just as the counsel of “great Anna” is too preoccupied with their idle whims and the “hungry judges” are disregard their duty for their stomachs.
18th century high class society is clearly one of a trivial nature and it is this which Pope brings out and insults continuously throughout his ‘Rape of the Lock.
