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Which biblical characters represent Charles II, the duke of Monmouth, and the earl of Shaftesbury in Absalom and Achitophel?
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John Dryden
John Dryden, oil painting by Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1693; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
In his verse satire Absalom and Achitophel, John Dryden utilizes the biblical narrative of King David to allegorize the political figures involved in the Exclusion Crisis of 1681. The characters are represented as follows:12
- King David: Represents Charles II.12
- Absalom: Represents the duke of Monmouth, the king's illegitimate Protestant son.12
- Achitophel: Represents the earl of Shaftesbury, who is depicted as the false friend persuading Absalom to revolt against his father.12
By mapping these contemporary political figures onto the Old Testament story, Dryden crafted a powerful piece of pro-Tory propaganda that dissected the motives of those seeking to alter the royal line of succession.12