Author Description
John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester (1647-1680), was the most notorious of the Restoration rakes. He was also a fine lyrical and satirical poet whose work---in Graham Greene's opinion--has been underestimated because it was overshadowed by his life of lechery and drunkenness, wild pranks and practical jokes, and death-bed repentance. At Court, King Charles II suffered but respected Rochester's biting satires, joined in some of his erotic escapades, forgave his embarrassing japes, and rewarded him with distinctions. The heiress Elizabeth Mallet succumbed to his charm, eloped with him, and remained constant, though not always happy, throughout thirteen years of marriage. Elizabeth Barry, his favorite mistress, owed to him her success on the stage and gained his sincere devotion. Yet the last thirteen years of Rochester's short life were 'clouded by the fumes of drink' and were marked by outrageous buffoonery, an abortive duel, and literary quarrels that threatened to wreck his undoubted gifts of friendship. These notorious episodes, no less than the religious scruples that culminated in his deathbed call to Dr. Burnet in 1680, characterize the mental and psychological conflict which was the source of Rochester's finest poetry. His friend Etherege depicted him in the stage character of Dorimant: 'I know he is a Devil, but he has something of the Angel yet undefac'd in him.'
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This biography investigates the dichotomy between John Wilmot’s reputation as a debauched Restoration rake and his status as a significant, yet historically undervalued, lyrical poet. Graham Greene, a renowned novelist and critic, utilizes historical records and contemporary accounts to analyze how Wilmot’s volatile lifestyle—characterized by alcoholism, courtly intrigue, and erratic behavior—served as both a catalyst and a hindrance to his literary output. The work argues that the psychological tension between Wilmot’s hedonistic impulses and his intellectual depth is the primary engine behind his most enduring satirical and lyrical compositions.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A detailed biographical account of John Wilmot, Second Earl of Rochester, from 1647 to 1680.
- Analysis of the social and political climate of the court of King Charles II.
- Examination of Wilmot’s relationships with Elizabeth Mallet and Elizabeth Barry.
- Critical assessment of Wilmot’s poetry in the context of his personal life.
Scope Limits
- The text does not provide an exhaustive academic bibliography of all minor contemporary pamphlets.
- It does not attempt to provide a modern psychological diagnosis of Wilmot’s alcoholism.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics often note that Greene’s prose is marked by a novelist’s eye for character, making the biography highly readable while maintaining historical rigor. Scholars frequently highlight this work as a compelling entry point for those interested in the intersection of Restoration politics and the development of 17th-century English verse.
Page Count:
231
Publication Date:
1976-08-26
Publisher:
Penguin Books
ISBN-10:
0140041974
ISBN-13:
9780140041972
Poetry
Biography
Fiction
History
Restoration Era
Literary Criticism
Literature & Fiction