Mac flecknoe is a poem written by English poet and literary critic, John Dryden. The Full title of poem is ” Mac Flecknoe; or A satyr upon the True-Blew-Protestant Poet, Thomas Shadwell.
Mac Flecknoe By John Dryden
Summary of Mac Flecknoe By John Dryden
Thomas Shadwell was poet from John Dryden’s time, but John doesn’t like him as they had many disagreements. In the poem, John Dryden has made fun of Thomas Shadwell’s work.
The story of poem begins with character, Mac Flecknoe, a stupid king who doesn’t know how to rule a kingdom. He is old and can’t rule his kingdom anymore. Mac is very old and needs new King to rule his kingdom. He is looking for that type of king who is young and powerful.
Flacknoe has two options in front of him, one is his son who is brainless and useless like him. On the other side, Flecknow has talented and sharp poet but he doesn’t choose this poet. Flecknoe chose his son, Shadwell, who has no talent to lead. Shadwell is tired, brainless son whose belly is out. Here, poet keep insulting Shadwell.
After becoming King, Shadwell turned his palace into brothels. He have place in palace where bad and tired actress perform for him. They watch those types of plays which children likes and can understand easily. The poet is trying to say that Shadwell is useless person who can’t do anything in life. He has no talent and skill. The writer even linked human waste with Shadwell’s writing. The writer says Shadwell writings is waste like a human waste.
The poet doesn’t stop and he keep insulting Shadwell throughout the poem. The oil which is used for the massage of King has been replaced with Ale by Shadwell. So now King’s massage is done by Ale. Flecnoe present that land to Shadwell which has no one to live and rule.
The Shadwell is going to rule that land where no one lives. Thereafter, Flecknoe gives blessings to his son, Shadwell and ask him to be true to his writings. The poet ends his speech by praising Shadwell’s abilities, he says son, you will always remain a doughfer, brainless and dull. And never try to be poet like Johnson.