Father And Son :: essays papers

arrive And SonAs related to Absalom and AchitophelAbsalom and Achitophel begins in the world of Old result history. Thevague biblical past of the hatchway lines lets the narrative to be facilityfrom 2 Samuel in a wide historical frame that hopes to legalize thekings promiscuity by associating the king as father of the landIn pious times, er priestcraft did begin, Before polygamy was make a sinWhen one part on many multiplied his kind, Ere one to one was cursedly holdWhen nature prompted and no law denied Promiscuous use of concubine and bride wherefore Israels monarch after Heavens own heart, His vigorous warmth did variously impartTo wives and slaves and, wide as his command, Scattered his Makers count on through the land. (l. 1-10)The association in the midst of God and David is made through the clevercomparison of ecclesiastic and military man fertility. There is some irony in seeingGods abundant institution reflected in the kings sexual extravagances, butthe irony do esnt reduce the status of the king. It serves, at thebeginning of the poem, to separate the person of the king from the officeof the king.The opening scenes mark David as an indulgent father, not as head ofthe country. Davids pleasure in Absalom parallels Gods attitude towardAdam in the Garden. All of Absaloms motions are accompanied with grace,And enlightenment was opened in his face.With secret joy indulgent David viewedHis youthful image in his son renewedTo all his wishes nothing he deniedAnd made the charming Annabel his bride. (l. 29-34)The easy going nature of Absalom, put together with the ad hocreference to paradise, help establish him as the figure from Eden thatwill be seen again in the temptation. The characterization of Davidemphasizes a combination of divine and human paternity. Like God, Davidtakes great joy in his creation desire God, he supplies Absalom with aworthwhile bride. This serious presentation of David in his fatherlike joyand indulgence, as compared to the divine model, cannot be taken as rebuke of the king. It strengthens the casual relationship between Godand David established at the opening of the poem. When attention iscalled to indulgence or weakness in Davids character, it is in a contextthat shows Davids indulgence to be a reflection of his paternal, ratherthan kingly, skillWhat faults he had (for whom from faults if free?)His father could not, or he would not see. (l. 35-36)The stress is on Davids paternal indulgence. The initial presentationof David and Absalom closes with a declaration of the serene of Davids