Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What subjects are discussed in the four epistles of An Essay on Man?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Alexander Pope
Alexander Pope, portrait by Thomas Hudson, c. 1739; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
In his philosophical poem An Essay on Man, Alexander Pope explores the order of the universe through four distinct epistles. The subjects discussed in each are as follows:1
- First Epistle: Surveys the relationship between humanity and the universe, describing a God-ordained hierarchy or "chain of being" in which humans are placed above plants and animals due to their capacity for reason.1
- Second Epistle: Focuses on humans as individuals.1
- Third Epistle: Addresses the relationship between the individual and society.1
- Fourth Epistle: Examines the potential of the individual to achieve happiness.1
The poem was intended to serve as an introductory work for a larger, uncompleted project regarding the relations of man, nature, and society.12