How does Pope present 18th century society in Canto I-III?
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- Wed May 13 2009
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... How does Pope present 18th century society in Canto I-III? Alexander Pope quite clearly conveys 18th century society as quite a trivial, yet majestic place. Pope satirises the high class society throughout Cantos I-III, outlining their conceited and lazy nature to much amusement. We are first introduced to Belinda in Canto I where Pope immediately begins to outline how trivial the high class society of the 18th century really is. Belinda is part of the high class society; therefore we should take Belinda's nature as a symbol of all the women of the high class society. This notion is enforced by the Sylph's insistence of Belinda knowing her "own importance" (Canto I) for this elevates her nature and person above all the women of her society. If the best of the society - the best being Belinda - can have "all the Vision vanish'd from thy head" by a mere "Billet-doux", it













