Rosicrucian Doctrine in Alexander Pope’s “THE RAPE OF THE LOCK”

Abstract

Abstract: “The Rape of The Lock” is the most exquisite specimen of filigree work ever invented. The Supernatural Machinery in this poem is based on Rosicrucian doctrine. According to this doctrine the four elements are inhabited by Sylphs, Nymphs, Gnomes and Salamanders. Alexander Pope in his dedicatory Epistle to Miss Arabella Fermor informs that the four Supernatural beings i.e. the Sylphs, Nymphs, Gnomes and salamanders correspond to the four elements viz. Air, Earth, Water and Fire.