Absalom and Achitophel (Allie Bennett)
In England around 1681, Charles II was starting to grow old, therefore he had to choose a successor to the throne. During his reign on the throne he had a number of mistresses and illegitimate children. The favorite out of his illegitimate children was, James Scott, the Duke of Monmouth who was Protestant, and wanted to take the throne. There were no legitimate heirs to the throne, except Charles brother, the future James II of England, who was openly Roman Catholic. When Charles’s health started to decrease, the house of commons naturally started to panic to the thought of having a Roman Catholic King; in reaction, The Earl of Shaftsbury sponsored the Exclusion bills. These bills sought to eliminate the Kings brother from ever taking the throne in England, Scotland and Ireland, due to the fact he was Roman Catholic. This bill was then rejected by the House of Lords two times; in reaction James Scott was caughtorganizing to rebel for the throne and Shaftsbury was expected of fostering the rebellion. After the death of Charles, James Scott was unwilling to see his uncle James II become king, therefore he revolts was put back into full motion and the Duke of Monmouth (James Scott) was executed in 1685. Absalom and Achitophel was published in November of 1681 by Dryden. His poem tells the story of making Monmouth into Absalom, Charles into David, and Shaftesbury into Achitophel. In the poem Dryden places, most of the blame on Shaftsbury and makes Charles out to be a very reluctant and loving man, who is king before father.
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