How we cite our quotes: (Canto.Line)
Quote #1
Say what strange Motive, Goddess! cou'd compel
A well-bred Lord t'assault a gentle Belle?
Oh say what stranger Cause, yet unexplor'd,
Cou'd make a gentle Belle reject a Lord?
In Tasks so bold, can Little Men engage,
and in soft Bosoms dwells such Mighty Rage? (I.7–12)
The theme starts here at the very beginning of the poem, where Pope is making an invocation to the Muse to help him write it in true, mock epic fashion. Looks like men and women swap places in this quote: first, the lord does the assaulting, but in the second, the belle is the aggressor. What kind of equality is this?
Quote #2
Th' Adventrous Baron the bright Locks admir'd,
He saw, he wish'd, and to the Prize aspir'd:
Resolv'd to win, he meditates the way,
By Force to ravish, or by Fraud betray;
For when Success a Lover's Toil attends,
Few ask, if Fraud or Force attain'd his Ends. (II.29–34)
Belinda is all dolled up and ready for the party at Hampton Court. What we find out here is that, while she's been at her makeup, the Baron has been scheming to steal one of her locks. No honor whatsoever in this Baron: looks like he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his desires. It's just kind of pathetic (and creepy) that what he does desire is a piece of hair.
Quote #3
e're Phoebus rose, he had implor'd
Propitious Heav'n, and ev'ry Pow'r ador'd,
But chiefly Love — to Love an Altar built,
Of twelve vast French Romances, neatly gilt.
There lay three Garters, half a Pair of Gloves;
And all the Trophies of his former Loves.
With tender Billet-doux he lights the Pyre,
And breathes three am'rous Sighs to raise the Fire.
Then prostrate falls, and begs with ardent Eyes
Soon to obtain, and long possess the Prize: (II.35–44)
We're still getting a description of the Baron's plots and schemes to steal the lock. These lines describe the mock-altar to Love he sets up as he prays for help in his plan. "Love" here doesn't seem to mean feeling or emotion or even action at all. It's just—creepy mementoes. That the Baron worships first, then burns anyway.
Quote #4
Coffee, (which makes the Politician wise,
And see thro' all things with his half shut Eyes)
Sent up in Vapours to the Baron's Brain
New Stratagems, the radiant Lock to gain.
Ah cease rash Youth! desist e'er 'tis too late,
Fear the just Gods, and think of Scylla's Fate! (III.117–122)
We're at the party, and it's the moment of truth: everyone's had a bit of coffee and the Baron is about to snag that lock. So now he's totally high on caffeine and can't control himself? So much for drinking your coffee like a man. And in that final line, do I see the speaker likening the Baron to Scylla (a misguided woman if ever there was one)?
Quote #5
(Sir Plume, of Amber Snuff-box justly vain,
And the nice Conduct of a clouded Cane)
With earnest Eyes, and round unthinking Face,
He first the Snuff-box open'd, then the Case,
And thus broke out—"My Lord, why, what the Devil?
"Z—ds! damn the Lock! 'fore Gad, you must be civil!
"Plague on't! 'tis past a Jest—nay prithee, Pox!
"Give her the Hair—he spoke, and rapp'd his Box. (IV.123–130)
The Baron has snipped off the lock, Belinda is in tears, and her friend Clarissa asks Sir Plume to step in and tell the Baron to give it up. Wow, Sir Plume really, really, really likes his snuff box and his cane. He actually doesn't seem to be much of a personality without them.
Quote #6
But this bold Lord, with manly Strength indu'd,
She with one Finger and a Thumb subdu'd,
Just where the Breath of Life his Nostrils drew,
A Charge of Snuff the wily Virgin threw;
The Gnomes direct, to ev'ry Atome just,
The pungent Grains of titillating Dust.
Sudden, with starting Tears each Eye o'erflows,
And the high Dome re-ecchoes to his Nose. (V.79–86)
As Sir Plume's attempt to get the Baron to return the lock fails, all of the lords and ladies jump into a huge fight over it, using any of the weapons at their disposal. Speaking of snuff—did Belinda just beat the Baron by tossing some in his face?